Matiangi praises Prisons women volleyball side

A year after a public spat between Interior Ministry and the prisons department, Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i had a reconciliatory tone yesterday as he received back the Prisons women volleyball team after recent assignments.

Last year the team endured untold suffering and the embarrassment of being recalled from continental duty, African Volleyball Clubs Championship in Cairo, Egypt something Matiangi once again stated that will never happen again.

“We can not assume the ugly incidences never happened. I want to sincerely thank all our officers for maintaining high levels of discipline despite all this.

During a meeting with the players last year, I gave an assurance that they will never be subjected to such an experience again,” Matiangi said.

Fast forward, the Kenyan Prisons team won bronze at the 21 Women’s Africa Club Championships in Tunisia last week.

There were also five prisons sprinters in the 2021 World Relays Championships in Silesia, Poland including Hesborn Ochieng who anchored Kenyan home to winning silver, Kenyans best ever finish in the men’s 4x200m final.

Ochieng thanking his employers for making the trip in Poland worthwhile. “Without the support of our employers, and e could not have had the opportunity to go and represent the country.

It’s not only about competitions, but being given humble time to go and train is very important,” said the sprinter.

Matiangi after receiving the flag from captain Brackides Agala at the the Prisons headquarters Nairobi. Yesterday, he said he is eying even better working relations in future with the department.

The Interior boss announcing that a ground breaking ceremony will be done soon to build a state of the art sports complex that will serve the department.

“This something you that must be done. It’s not about giving promises but getting a facility that will benefit our sports persons in the Prisons department,” said Matiangi.

A world class indoor arena, football pitch, training ground, swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts among other ultra modern facilities is an area Matiangi believe will keep the correctional service department more dominant going forward.

Last year President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned the construction of the Ulinzi Complex in Langata barracks which aimed at nurturing talents across all disciplines.

 Matiangi in the presence of Prisons Commissioner General Wycliffe Ogola and CAS Winnie Guchu said the government is committed to supporting all the sports activities and will, as a matter of fact, increase its allocation for the sports budget.