All eyes are on Florence Kerubo Omundi as the government seeks to appoint the next commissioner general of Prisons.
Sources close to the Prisons Headquarters intimated that Omundi is highly favoured to be named the first woman to lead the Prisons Department.
“A top boss at Harambee House is really pushing hard for Omundi to succeed Wycliffe Ogalo as the commissioner General of Prisons,” said the source, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity.
Ogalo is expected to retire any time after his term expired. He was appointed the Commissioner General of Prisons in March 2019.
Florence Kerubo Omundi was appointed as the deputy commissioner of prisons in an acting capacity in July 2020. She was to deputise Wycliffe Ogalo as the prisons boss. Omundi was named to replace Benjamin Njoga who retired on July 1.
Before the appointement, Omundi served as the director of sports and gender in the prisons department.
However, Omundi’s meterioc rise through the ranks has raised eyebrows. Keen observers not that Omundi has no administrative experience.
“ Omundi has never been In Charge of any prison,” said a source familiar with prison department affairs. “She has also never been a regional commander or an AIE holder.”
Omundi holds a Master’s degree in Economics, Social Development Planning and Management Social Development from Swansea University.
“Her track record is unknown,” the source added. “Her only qualification is that she is close to powerful people at Harambee House”.
It is instructive to note that powerful cabinet minister Fred Matiangi attended Omundi’s homecoming celebrations when she was appointed the deputy commissioner general.
Her appointment was however curiously and silently reversed by the Public Service Commission. It is not clear her current position within the Prisons’ Department.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM