Unlocking Justice through Stakeholder Engagement and the Performance of Prison Decongestion Programs in Nairobi Remand, Kenya

Phoebe Adhiambo Ogallo, Stella Karimi Silas & Thomas Gisemba Onsarigo
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Email: adhiambophoebe19@gmail.com

Abstract: This study examined the role of stakeholder engagement in shaping the performance of prison decongestion programs at Nairobi Remand Prison, Nairobi County, Kenya. Drawing on Performance Theory, Expectancy Theory, and Systems Theory, the research employed a descriptive design with a sample of 269 stakeholders, including prison officers, prosecution counsels, magistrates, and court clerks. Data collected through structured questionnaires and key informant interviewJournals achieved a 97% response rate and were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and NVivo 14. Results revealed that stakeholder engagement had a statistically significant and positive influence on program outcomes, contributing to reduced overcrowding, improved fairness in case handling, enhanced staff work conditions, and more efficient case processing. The study concludes that participatory engagement of stakeholders is critical to the effectiveness and sustainability of prison decongestion efforts. It recommends strengthening collaboration across justice sector actors, aligning stakeholder interests, and establishing feedback mechanisms to enhance accountability and long-term reform.