• Industrial prison has 2,812 inmates, more than double its capacity of 1,288
• Lack of safe water, dangers of disease
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
The 107-year-old Industrial Area Prison is dilapidated, overcrowded and thirsty, exposing inmates to unhygienic conditions and illness.
In a memo to senators on Tuesday, the management said the population is 2,812 inmates, while the capacity is 1,288 — 118 per cent above capacity.
The Senate Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights led by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei toured the colonial-era prison on Tuesday. He said the committee would try to improve conditions. They received an official prison memo.
The situation painted by the memo raised concerns about the risk of disease outbreaks, given that the City County has raised a Cholera alert.
There is an increased risk of contracting contagious infections, including such as skin diseases. Renal tract infections are high among inmates, a prison source said, speaking on conditions of anonymity.
"A room that is supposed to hold 20 people is now containing 45. We don't have an option because facilities are dilapidated," the source said.
Officer in charge Samwel Rutto did not answer calls
The memo said the prison was dependent on colonial-era facilities which were in a deplorable state. The prison was built in 1911.
Eighty per cent of buildings are temporary and non-permanent structures, including staff lines and quarters, the memo says.
The prison is struggling with water supply, making it hard to guarantee safe and adequate water, aggravating public health concerns. Water bowsers were grounded, the memo said.
"We don't have any borehole. We depend on piped water from Nairobi county and the pipes keep breaking. Reconnection takes a long time. You can imagine what we're going through during dry seasons like this one," the source said.
The memo also said the prison was not accommodating to persons living with disability. It does not have special toilets and ablution blocks. It has no wheelchairs and it's difficult for them to get around.
Prison officers lack awareness of disability issues and few know sign language.
In September last year, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i said there is "an elaborate plan to modernise prisons and operations at correctional facilities across the country".
Speaking while unveiling 100 prison vehicles at Nairobi West Prisons, Matiang'i said there was "an ongoing programme to improve the state of infrastructure at the correctional facilities".
Speaking to inmates on Tuesday, the senators, including Cherargei, Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni), Mithika Linturi(Meru), and Mohamed Faki (Mombasa), promised to help.