Only tapped water will be supplied to Machakos G.K Prison in the next three weeks, Machakos Health CEC Daniel Yumbya has said.
Yumbya said this was to ensure that inmates alongside the entire prison community were safe from diseases caused by contaminated water.
He said the Cholera outbreak reported at the correctional facility months ago was caused by contaminated water supplied by water boozers from outside the prison.
“Cholera that started here was caused by water brought by water boozers. We have consulted the Ministry of Health and agreed that in the next three weeks, only tapped water will be supplied to the prison by the company that supplies it with the important commodity,” Yumbya said.
Two inmates reportedly died of Cholera, while 50 others were infected with the same disease at the prison a few months ago.
“This is to avoid recurrence of the decease outbreak at the facility,” Yumbya said.
The health executive addressed the press when he visited the facility to donate foodstuff as his Christmas donations to the more than 800 inmates on Thursday, December 22.
“I visited the prison accompanied by directors of medical services, nursing and health chief officer alongside KAWE officials, some of our partners and donated eight bails of wheat flour so as to celebrate Christmas together,” Yumbya said.
He said his boss Governor Wavinya Ndeti had also donated a bull to the prison so that the inmates can just like other Kenyans enjoy chapatis with meat on December 25, Christmas day.
“We have urged them to turn to God as they reform in the correctional facility so that when they return to the community, they join hands in building the nation," Yumbya said.
Yumbya said as Machakos County Government donated medicinal drugs to the prison.
There is a dispensary at Machakos G.K Prison that also serves some members of the public living within the institution’s neighbourhood.
“We would like those patients here to be able to get health services from within. Only those who need admission should be taken to Machakos Level 5 Hospital. We will make arrangements to ensure that the prison has an inpatient facility in future to avoid movements among inmates,” Yumbya said.
He later received Sh48 million worth of medicine at Machakos Level 5 hospital to be distributed in all county hospitals within the eight sub-counties in Machakos.
“I assure Machakos residents that drugs are available in our hospitals this festive season. Let patients get to public hospitals and seek medication,” Yumbya said.
Yumbya warned those involved in the theft of government drugs stating that their days were numbered.
“Let drugs get to hospitals and be administered to patients. No patient should be sold drugs in our hospitals,” Yumbya said.
He said chemists and pharmacists who will be found selling government drugs will be closed down and legal action taken against their owners.
“Your business permits and licenses will be confiscated and cancelled. You will never be issued with other licenses in Machakos County for the next six years, let businesses be legitimate,” Yumbya said.
He wished residents of Machakos including those admitted in hospitals alongside inmates a Merry Christmas and Happy New year, 2023.
