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KENYA: ‘Poor hygiene standards killing prisoners’
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DEATHS: Kamiti Maximum Prison
MORE THAN 10 people are said to have died from water borne diseases made worse by inadequate hygiene standards in Kenyan state penitentiaries.
The deaths and lack of basic hygiene continue despite promises to implement prison reforms, radio station Capital FM reported.
Director at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Jotham Michemi, told Capital FM that it is also dealing with 67 cholera patients – 52 cases from the Kamiti Maximum Prison plus another 15 patients from Mathare, Muthurwa and Kibera.
It said nine inmates have died from cholera at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, forcing officials to restrict prisoner movement and temporarily ban prison visitors.
The radio station said Home Affairs Minister Kalonzo Musyoka has promised that the government would make certain officials in prisons disinfect common facilities and follow strict hygiene when preparing food.
"We regret the loss of lives of the nine prisoners and we continue to do everything possible to ensure we safeguard the lives of those who have shown symptoms of the disease," said Musyoka, who reiterated that the government was committed to putting in the reforms and upholding prisoners’ human rights.
Published: 30 November 2009
Issue: 1400
