Dr. Salome Beacco Leads Bold Campaign to Humanize Kenyan Prisons with Triple-Decker Beds
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By John Kariuki
In a landmark push to restore dignity within Kenya’s correctional system, Dr. Salome Beacco, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Correctional Services, has launched the He for He Triple-Decker Bed Campaign—a transformative initiative aimed at ensuring every inmate has a bed to sleep on.
Speaking at Nairobi West Prison during the official launch, Dr. Beacco emphasized that this campaign goes beyond metal frames and mattresses. “Today we gather not merely to launch a physical installation, but to ignite a movement—a movement for dignity, justice, and humanity within our correctional facilities,” she said. “We are here because we believe that where there is incarceration, there must also be compassion.”
The campaign targets the installation of at least 20,000 triple-decker beds across correctional facilities, focusing on improving conditions for Kenya’s approximately 57,000 male inmates. The design allows for efficient use of space while addressing overcrowding and promoting hygiene, sleep quality, and overall well-being.
Dr. Beacco noted that the initiative aligns with international best practices, particularly the Nelson Mandela Rules and the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. “This is about more than compliance,” she said. “It reflects conscience. Confinement should never mean indignity.”
The event drew significant attention from religious, diplomatic, and correctional stakeholders. Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, Philip Anyolo, praised the initiative as a practical expression of compassion rooted in faith. Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Kenya, Sultan Hajiyev, called it a strong example of values-driven leadership and social impact.
Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick Aranduh also commended the effort, describing the triple-decker bed rollout as a “foundational step in restoring dignity and hope” to inmates. He urged prisoners to take advantage of available rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
Under Dr. Beacco’s stewardship, the He for He Triple-Decker Bed Campaign is more than a policy—it’s a powerful declaration that dignity should not be lost behind bars. The campaign signals a national shift toward a correctional model rooted in humanity, not just containment.
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