Kenya Prisons Expands Certified Potato Seed Project to Boost Food Security and Inmate Skills

The Kenya Prisons Service is strengthening partnerships with research and agricultural institutions to expand certified potato seed production at Nyandarua GK Prison, a move aimed at supporting national food security while equipping inmates with practical farming skills.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service.

The project received a boost after the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Correctional Services, Salome Beacco, accompanied by Commissioner General of Prisons Patrick M. Aranduh, visited Nyandarua GK Prison to assess its progress and explore opportunities for expansion.

During the tour, the officials reviewed ongoing potato seed production activities and discussed ways to strengthen collaboration between correctional institutions, research organisations, and development partners. The project forms part of wider government efforts to modernise prison enterprises while creating rehabilitation programmes that equip inmates with employable skills.

Aranduh said the Kenya Prisons Service is committed to diversifying rehabilitation programmes through sustainable agricultural initiatives that generate both social and economic value. He noted that potato seed production provides inmates with hands-on experience in modern farming techniques while contributing to the availability of quality planting materials for farmers across the country.

Access to certified potato seed remains one of the biggest challenges facing Kenya’s potato industry. Many farmers rely on recycled seed, which often leads to declining yields, increased disease pressure, and reduced crop quality. Expanding local production of certified seed is considered essential to improving productivity and meeting the country’s growing demand for potatoes.

The partnership combines technical expertise from JKUAT, seed certification and quality assurance from KEPHIS, and development support from JICA to ensure the project meets national standards for potato seed production. Through the collaboration, prison farms are expected to play a greater role in supplying clean, disease-free seed to growers while serving as centres for practical agricultural training.

Beyond improving seed availability, the initiative supports the broader objective of rehabilitating inmates by providing marketable agricultural skills that can be applied after their release. Skills in seed production, crop management, and modern farming practices are expected to enhance employment opportunities and encourage self-employment within the agricultural sector.

The inspection was attended by senior Kenya Prisons officials, including Director of Prisons Enterprise Charles Mutembei, Director of Farms Patrick Kariri, Central Region Commander Anne Gatimu, and Rift Valley Region Commander Joseph Saitoti.

As Kenya continues to promote agricultural transformation and strengthen food systems, partnerships such as the Nyandarua potato seed project are expected to contribute to increased production of certified seed while demonstrating how correctional institutions can support national development through sustainable agriculture and skills development.