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Senators want the government to administratively release minor offenders or recommend a law change to decongest correctional facilities.

This even as the senators pushed for release of minor offenders to free-up congested prisons that have compromised the health of inmates.

Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi cleared an inquiry into the status of prisons sought by Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana.

In the inquiry that will be conducted by the Senate’s Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee, Kibwana wants the committee to establish the capacity of Kenya’s prisons vis-a-vis the number of persons currently incarcerated.

“The committee should clarify whether the treatment and living conditions of vulnerable persons in prisons, that is women and children, conforms to international standards and human rights guidelines,” she said.

The probe also seeks to establish whether the inmates have access to education, health services, and other basic human rights.

Senator Hillary Sigei (Bomet) will also state the number of persons, by gender and age, incarcerated for minor offences and who are serving jail sentences of less than three years.