Gov’t lays community service bill, 2026 before parliament

The government has laid the Community Service Bill, 2026 before Parliament as part of efforts to address congestion in the country’s prisons.

The proposed legislation seeks to introduce non-custodial sentences for minor offences, providing alternatives to imprisonment and reducing pressure on correctional facilities.

Presenting the bill for its first reading on Wednesday, 4 March, the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, outlined its purpose on the floor of Parliament.

“Part of the reason for this bill is to help decongest our prisons and ensure that people who commit minor offences are given non-custodial sentences instead of being incarcerated without proper means to feed and maintain them,” he said.

He added that the framework would allow minor offenders, such as those caught stealing items like bananas or plantains, to perform community service. This approach, he explained, would foster community unity and reduce the likelihood of repeat offences.

“The bill essentially sets up a framework to decongest our prisons and redirect minor offenders to community service that benefits society,” he added