From left, Busia District Probation Officer Alfred Masinde,Jonathan Mwavita and other officers during the Celebrations.[PHOTO|Fankline Bwire|West Fm] 

Speaking during an occasion meant to celebrate the promotion of 52 prison officers to various ranks, the officers said the promotions have taken several years to come despite them having served for long in the prison department and it is valuable for they will have an upper hand in serving citizens better.

The officers promoted included Monica Agot to the rank of corporal after 21 years in service.

“I must say that am quite grateful to the Lord and the prison commissioner for their efforts of rewarding our hard work,” she said.

Mr. James Akenga who was promoted to the rank of Sergeant said the promotions were a great milestone for them looking at  the salary they have been earning and the kind of lifestyle they had in the past years.

“We are happy that there are great changes in the prisons especially as depicted through the promotions that we have received. Our officers are now enlightened and are focusing on ones hard work and commitment to work,” said Akenga.

Busia prison officer in charge Jonathan Mwavita said the promotions were part of the ongoing reforms in the country.

He urged the newly promoted officers to uphold the law, challenging those who had not been promoted to also further their studies in a bid to fill the available positions in the prison department.

Also present was the Busia district probation officer Masinde Alfred who advised them to embrace hard work and respect the rights of the inmates as they undertake their duties.

“Vacancies are there but for the right people who have qualified for the positions. Let us aspire to be promoted by working hard,” he said.

Among the 52 prison warders promoted at the Busia GK prison, 21 were promoted to corporals, 29 sergeants, 8 senior sergeants and four for the corporal 2 rank.