List of All Maximum Security Prisons in Kenya

This is Complete List Of All Maximum Security Prisons in Kenya Currently, the five maximum security correctional centres are Nairobi’s Kamiti, Shimo La Tewa in Mombasa, Manyani in Taita Taveta, Naivasha in Nakuru and Kodiaga in Kisumu. In Kisumu, Kibos and Kisumu main prison and Nyeri main prison have been upgraded to the status of maximum security prisons.

The prisons system was introduced in Kenya by the British East Africa protectorate with the enactment of East Africa Prisons Regulations in April, 1902. At independence, the reforms in the penal system were strengthened with the enactment of chapters 90 and 92 to establish the Kenya Prisons, and Act (Cap 90) has since been reviewed, the last being 1977. The Borstal Act (cap 92) has also been reviewed, the last being in 1967. Maximum Security Prisons in Kenya Currentl

The Kenya Prisons Service is a Department in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government. It contributes to public safety and security by ensuring there is safe custody of all persons who are lawfully committed to prison facilities, as well as facilitating the rehabilitation of custodial sentenced offenders for community reintegration. It is a critical component of the Criminal Justice System which has the greatest impact on people’s liberties and freedom, particularly those who are in conflict with the law. The Service became autonomous in 1911 and has since then grown progressively to a Department comprising of 118 institutions of which ninety four (115) are for adult offenders whilst three (3) (2 Borstal and 1 YCTC) are primarily for youthful offenders. The Service is empowered to exercise the mandate by Chapters 90 & 92, (Prisons and Borstal Acts), Laws of Kenya. The current prisoners’ population stands at 54,000 of whom 48% are pre-trial detainees whilst the remaining ones are sentenced prisoners. The staff establishment stands at approximately 22,000 comprising of uniformed officers and auxiliary staff.

Core Functions of The Kenya Prisons Service

Mandate of The Kenya Prisons Service

The Kenya Prisons Service is mandated by Caps 90 and 92 (Prisons and Borstal Acts), Laws of Kenya, to do the following:-

1. Containment and keeping in safe custody of offenders.

2. Rehabilitation and Reformation of offenders through training, counseling, Educational and professional Programmes.

3. Facilitate administration of justice by producing offenders to Courts.

4. Control and training of youthful offenders in Borstal and YCTC Institutions.

5. Recruitment and Training of Prisons Manpower requirements.

Core Functions of The Kenya Prisons Service

1. Keeping in safe custody all prisoners placed under its care.

2. Rehabilitation and reformation of prisoners for social re-integration

3. Facilitation of Administration of Justice.

4. Containing and Rehabilitation of young offenders in Borstal Institutions and Youth Corrective Training Centre.

5. Provision of care for children aged 4 years and below accompanying their mothers to prison.

Below is a list of all maximum security prisons in Kenya

Kamiti Maximum Security Prison

Kamiti Maximum Security Prison is a prison in Nairobi, Kenya. It is located in the agricultural district of Kiambu. Originally named “Kamiti Downs”, it sits in the middle of its own 490-hectare (1,200-acre) estates which lie fallow and untended.

During the 1980s and early 1990s many political prisoners were held at Kamiti, including Hussein Onyango Obama, Kenneth Matiba, Raila Odinga, Koigi wa Wamwere, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Jonah Anguka^[1] and numerous others.

Many executions have been carried out in Kamiti. Mau Mau rebel leader Dedan Kimathi was hanged by British colonial administration on 18 February 1957. Hezekiah Ochuka and Pancras Oteyo Okumu were executed there on 17 May 1987. No death penalties have been held in Kenya since, although capital punishment is not formally abolished. Maximum Security Prisons in Kenya Currentl

Kenya’s prisons are infamous for poor conditions and inhumane treatment, although the situation has improved slightly during Mwai Kibaki’s government since 2002  and some prisoners on death row have been released. There is still no reliable water supply, with over 200 prisoners hauling buckets of water around daily. The inmates working in the “industry” section are paid only 10 cents (Kenya shilling) per day, as per the outdated 1940s legislation which rules the organisation.

Within the prison, condemned “G” block is famed for its particularly brutal lifestyle, characterised by predatory sodomy and mobile phone confidence tricksters. The prison was built for 1400 prisoners, and it now houses over 3600 in poor living conditions. On 17 November 2008 a search was carried out in G block for mobile phones which resulted in a brutal beating by the warders being captured on mobile phone video and given to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and shown on Kenyan TV. Kirugumi wa Wanjuki was the longest serving and to date last hangman at Kamiti. Wanjuki died in 2009. In November 2009 at least eight prisoners died due to cholera outbreak at Kamiti Prison

Shimo la Tewa Maximum Security Prison

Criminal who commit offences like murder, terrorism, piracy or drug dealers are jailed at this prison. It is Kenya’s second largest prison and was actually founded in 1953 Kenya located in Mombasa County. It was created in 1953 during the state country’s state of emergency. As its name suggests, Life in ”Shimo” la Tewa ain’t no joke, here you will find most of Kenya’s hardcore criminals including pirates, terrorists, and serial killers.

Naivasha Maximum Security Prison

Its the third largest maximum prison in Kenya, Naivasha maximum prison is located in Nakuru County. This is the third-largest maximum prison in Kenya with 24-hour surveillance located in Nakuru County. Maximum Security Prisons in Kenya Currentl

Nyeri Maximum Security Prison

It is the only maximum prison in Nyeri. Before the gazette notice by Joseph Nkaissery, the prison was known as Kingongo Maximum Security Prison. This prison was upgraded to a maximum prison in 2017. It is located along Nyeri-Kiganjo road.

Kodiaga Maximum Security Prison

It’s located in Kisumu county’s Riat hills and by far the largest prison in Western Kenya. Kodiaga which formed in the 1930s has been termed over the past years to be the most dreadful in Kenya after Kamiti Maximum because of the inhuman treatment of prisoners. It’s a place you wouldn’t dream to be. It currently accommodates more than 2, 650 inmates. It’s gazetted as Kisumu Maximum Security prison.

Manyani Maximum Security Prison

As the second maximum prison in Mombasa, Mantani prison was originally created by the colonial governmenent to hold Mau Mau members. It is located in Taita taveta, inside Tsavo National Park. This is the fifth largest maximum prison in Kenya located in the harsh wilderness of Tsavo National Park in Taita Taveta County. It was established in the early 1950’s by the British colonial government as a holding camp for Mau Mau detainees. At some point, it held nearly 15,0000 Mau Mau suspects. Today, its one of the most dreadful prisons in the country. Maximum Security Prisons in Kenya Currentl

Langata Women Maximum Security Prison

This is the largest women prison in Kenya located in Nairobi’s Lang’ata suburb. It was formed in the British colonial era of 1950s. The following maximum prisons were gazetted on 14th March 2017 by then-Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery to accommodate more hardcore criminals in the country as an addition to the above 6 major maximum prisons.

Kingongo Maximum Security Prison 

Its located along Nyeri-Kiganjo Road in Nyeri County. It is gazetted as Nyeri Maximum Security Prison. -Maximum Security Prisons in Kenya Currentl

Nairobi Remand and Allocation Maximum Security Prison

It’s located along the Enterprise road in Nairobi. Nairobi Remand and Allocation Maximum Security Prison was upgraded to a maximum prison after the late Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery gazetted that the prison will among the prisons which will undergo the upgrading.

List of other Prisons in Nairobi

• Nairobi Short Sentence Prison (NSSP)
• Nairobi West prison
• Kamiti Medium Prison
• Kamiti Youth Correction and Training Centre

Kibos Maximum Security Prison

Its the second maximum prison in nyanza region. It’s located in Kisumu county next to Kibos Market. Maximum Security Prisons in Kenya Currentl

Below is a list of  Medium and low-security prisons in other parts of Kenya

List of other Prisons in coast region of Kenya

• Shimo la Tewa medium prison
• Shimo la Tewa women prison
• Kwale prison
• Kilifi prison
• Malindi prison
• Hola prison
• Wundanyi prison
• Voi remand prison
• Hindi prison
• Taveta prison
• Kingorani prison

List of Prisons in central region of Kenya

• Nyeri medium prison
• Nyeri Women prison
• Thombson Falls prison in Nyahururu
• Muranga road
• Maranjau prison
• Thika main prison
• Kerugoya prison
• Thika women prison
• Kiambu prison
• Ruiru prison
• Mwea prison

List of Prisons in Rift valley Kenya

• Naivasha medium prison
• Nakuru main prison
• Nakuru women prison
• Eldoret women prison
• Eldoret main prison
• Kitale main prison
• Kitale medium prison
• Kitale annex prison
• Kitale women prison
• Ngeria prison
• Kapsabet prison
• Kapenguria prison
• Lodwar prison
• Kericho main prison
• Kericho Medium prison
• Kericho women prison
• Athi river prison
• Maralal prison
• Rumuruti prison
• Kajiado prison
• Nanyuki prison
• Narok prison
• Kabarnet prison
• Eldama ravine prison
• Tambach prison

List of Prisons in Nyanza region of Kenya

• Kisumu medium prison
• Kisumu women prison
• Nyamira prison
• Kisii Main prison
• Kisii women prison
• Homa bay prison
• Kibos Medium prison
• Migori prison

List of rehabilitation centres in Kenya 

List of Rehabilitation centres in  Nairobi region of Kenya

1. Precision Counselling and Rehabilitation Centre – Kahawa Sukari, Nyahururu road, 3rd North Avenue
2. New-Life Rehabilitation Counseling Centre County – Home Estate, Next Safari Park Hotel, Thika Road
3. Wonder Peace Rehabilitation Centre County – Ruiru, Kimbo
4. Mariakani Villa County – Muhoho Avenue South C
5. Springs of Hope Rehabilitation Centre – Eastleigh, Kiambiyu Slums
6. Greater Life Concern (For Street Children) – Eastleigh
7. Emmanuel Resource Centre – Ngong
8. Alcoholics Anonymous – All Saints Cathedral, Opposite Serena Hotel
9. SAPTA – Corner House – Kimathi Street, Nairobi
10. Nairobi Place Addiction Treatment and Specialized Medical Centre – Magoyety Road West- Karen, off Lang’ata road
11. Nairobi Outreach Services- NOSET Maisha House – Ngara, Ramesh Gautama Road, opposite fig tree hotel.
12. Mathari Hospital Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre -Muthaiga off Thika Rd, opp. Muthaiga Police Station
13. Mathari Hospital Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre -Muthaiga off Thika Rd, opp. Muthaiga Police Station
14. The Bridge Treatment & Counseling Centre – New Garden Estate, Thome V, Eden Road – Off Thika Road
15. Bustani Treatment Centre – Lavington, Muthangari Road, House No. 37
16. Kenyatta National Hospital-Department of Mental Health – Kenyatta National Hospital
17. Eden Halfway House – Limuru Road
18. Eden Village Treatment and rehabilitation centre -Lower Kabete
19. Chiromo Lane Treatment Center -Chiromo Lane, Muthithi Road
20. Brightside Treatment and Rehabilitation Center – Kitusuru, Kirawa Rd
21. CrossRoads Community Trust – Kisames, behind Ngong hills
22. Asumbi Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre – Karen

List of Rehabilitation centres in Coast region of Kenya

1. Coast Provincial General Hospital – Kisauni Road
2. Port Rietz District Hospital- Mental Health and Substance Abuse unit – Port Reitz Road Changamwe, near KMTC and Moi International Airport.
3. Mewa Rehabilitation Centre – Mtopanga (opposite Kisauni Post Office) old Malindi Road
4. Omari Project – Malindi, Sea Breeze, Msabaha Residential Centre
5. Reach Out Rehabilitation Centre – Junction corner of Mtongwe, Mombasa
6. Teens Watch – Kwale County
7. Lamu Red Cross Rehabilitation Center – Lamu County
8. Eden House – Likoni between Shelly Beach Academy and Happy Gardens
9. Coast General Hospital County- Mombasa
10. Omari Drop-In Centre County – Kilifi
11. Diani Kwetu Place – Diani Beach Road, Msambweni
12. Reach Out Drop-in Centre – Mombasa, Kibokoni Road

List of Rehabilitation centres in Nyanza region of Kenya

1. Anti-Abortion and Drug Abuse-Kenya (ADAK) – Nyamira town opposite Barclays Bank,
2. Nyamira Gajom Treatment Centre – Bondo
3. Ahero Treatment Centre – Ahero-Awasi Road, Kisumu County
4. Asumbi Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre (Homabay) – Suneka-Rodi Kopay Road, HomaBay County
5. RAM Rehabilitation Centre for Alcoholics – Kisii Town next to Law Courts
6. Life Hope Rehabilitation Centre – SDA Headquarters Kendu Bay Town
7. Fountain of Hope Rehabilitation Centre – Kisumu

List of Rehabilitation centres in Central region of Kenya

1. Jorgs Trust and Jorgs Sober House – Tigoni
2. The Raphaelites – Redhilll Limuru 5 km off Limuru Road
3. Faith Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres – Murang’a Town – County Council Room No. 206
4. Teens Challenge – Ridgeways Estate,
5. Nairobi Sober Springs Center – Nyeri, Mukurwe-ini.
6. The Bridge Centre – Ridgeways
7. The Retreat – Off Limuru Road, 5km before
8. Limuru Conference Vifukofuko Recovery Centre – Mai-ai-hii (Near Ondiri) – near Kikuyu Hospital
9. The Counseling Home – Thika
10. Blessed Talbot – Ndumberi
11. Asumbi Treatment Centre -Kentmere
12. Care-tech Medical and Rehabilitation Center – Thogoto
13. Thika Counseling Home County – Kiambu
14. Lifetime Wellness Centre County – Kiambu
15. Oasis of Hope County – Kiambu
16. Sober Living and Recovery County – Kiambu
17. Recovery Trails Treatment Centre County – Nyandarua, Mairo-inya
18. Karatina Recovery Centre County – Karatina, Along Karatina Nyeri Highway
19. Serenity Springs Centre County – Nyeri
20. Faith-Based Rehabilitation Centre County – Muranga
21. Hope and future family rehabilitation centre County – Rukuriri Gichegeni road, Gichegeni
22. Thika Counseling Home County – Kiambu
23. Lifetime Wellness Centre County – Kiambu
24. Oasis of Hope County – Kiambu
25. Canopy of Hope Treatment Centre
26. The Serenity Place – Kahawa Sukari, Kiu River Road, 2nd South Avenue,
27. Nairobi Mediva Wellness Centre – Githingiri
28. Christ The Good Shepherd Centre (Caritas) – Nyeri Central, Near Kamwenga Teachers College
29. Athena Rehabilitation Centre – Kiambu
30. Levuka Treatment Centre – Kiambu
31. Genesis Sober Community – Kiambu
32. Zawena Treatment Centre – Kiambu
33. St. Martins Riverside Institute Rehabilitation Centre – Maragua, Muchungucha
34. The Renaissance Center – Kiambu
35. Mama Care Recovery Centre – Kiambu

List of Rehabilitation centres in Rift Valley region of Kenya

1. PSYCACA – Nakuru
2. The Link Therapeutic Centre – Nakuru
3. Eldo Care Recovery Centre – Jasho Estate, Eldoret
4. Maisha House – Rongai
5. Oasis of Hope Rehabilitation Centre – Kiserian- Isinya Rd, 4km from Kiserian town
6. Script Resource Centre – Kiserian Town
7. Serenus Treatment & Rehabilitation Centre – Kitale
8. U-Turn 4 Christ – Ngong, Kiserian
9. Haven Recovery Centre – Near Illula Primary School in Limo Farm, along Elgeyo Border Road, Kapsoy Location, Eldoret East District
10. Serene Center – Nyaki Rd,off Magadi Road, near Kiserian
11. Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital – Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital
12. Karira Miracle Centre – Ole roimen road, off Ngong-Kiserian Road
13. Sober Homes Trust – Kibiku, Ngong
14. A-kili Foundation rehabilitation centre – Mosoriot Nandi County
15. Ray of Hope – 2km from Ngong Town near Silicon Valley.
16. Changes Rehabilitation & Resource Center – Zambia road, past Naisenya. Ngong town.
17. Zafa Crescent of Hope Rehabilitation Centre – Rimpa, Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County
18. Dawn of Hope Rehabilitation Centre -Nakuru
19. Empowering Lives International – Chebaiywa Village, Kipkaren
20. Teen Challenge Kenya – Nakuru Campus,
21. JB pipeline Recovery Options County – Kajiado
22. Crossway Medical Rehabilitation Centre – Kategoro Area
23. Nakuru  Drop-In Centre County – SDA church – Nakuru Central, Bondeni
24. Presbyterian Care Centre – Nakuru, Echariria
25. John Mututho Empowerment Center (JOMEC) – Mwariki Estate
26. Nakuru Counselling Home – Naivasha
27. Newdawn Rehabilitation Center – Kajiado, Ole Kasasi, Rongai
28. Serenity Africa Foundation – Uasin Gishu
29. Lighthouse Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre – Uasin Gishu
30. Palm Tree House Wellness Centre – Kericho

List of Rehabilitation centres in Eastern region of Kenya

1. Hope and Future family rehabilitation centre – Runyenjes, Embu
2. Good Hope Rehabilitation Centre – Mtito Andei
3. Forward Resolutions Trust – Embu Municipality, Njukiri Estate
4. New Life Mwangaza Rehabilitation Centre – Katani, Machakos.
5. Chariot House – Machakos
6. Heal Africa Counseling & Training Centre – Tala
7. Fountain of Hope – Mavoko, Airport North Rd Along Gateway Mall

List of Rehabilitation centres in Western region of Kenya

1. Promises Treatment Centre – Mukhuyu, Webuye

Kenya Prison Headquarters Contacts

Kenya Prison Headquarters.
Bishop Road Upperhill
Next to NSSF Building.
P. O. Box 30175 -00100,
Nairobi.
Tel : 020 2722902
E-mail: commissioner.prisons@gmail.com

Website https://www.prisons.go.ke/