A health crisis has hit the Nakuru GK Prison after 15 cases of Tuberculosis (TB) were reported. Officer in-charge James Sawe said eight cases have been reported this year.
He dismissed claims that the facility is overcrowded. The correctional facility, with a capacity of 700 prisoners, currently holds 1,562. Sawe said 1,118 are remandees. “In the last few days, the disease has been spreading fast. We suspect congestion is aggravating the situation,” Sawe said.
He said health officers are screening and treating those diagnosed with the disease. Sawe has called on the government to help decongest the prison by clearing backlog of cases in courts. He said most of the remandees are brought from Molo.
“It is uneconomical for the government to facility transport of over 500 remandees daily from Molo to Nakuru. The construction of a remandee home in Molo or a prison will be a relief in Nakuru GK prison,” he said.
Monitored closely According to clinical officer Julia Miring’u, there was no cause for alarm because the situation has been managed.
“The screening of all prisoners ward is ongoing to prevent the spread of the disease. Four cases were reported from one ward and those around them when screened.
Three were found with TB. We are monitoring the inmates closely to help contain the situation,” she said. Last month, during a tour of the facility, Home Affairs Principal Secretary Micah Powon said there is an urgent need to decongest correctional facilities across the country. He urged the Judiciary to intervene by expediting judgment to address the high number of remandees.
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