Thika Prison, which experienced a Cholera outbreak a month ago, has benefitted with food stuffs and other essential items from the court staff in efforts to improve sanitation and living conditions at the facility.
Among the items donated include blankets, soap, foodstuffs, fumigation machine, detergents and mattresses, all geared towards bettering the conditions of inmates.
The Prison’s-In-Charge, Karani Limaye, said the items come as a boost as they are grappling with overcrowding at the facility.
He said the Prison that is meant to hold 300 inmates has over 1,300 prisoners, making them get overwhelmed.
Limaye, however, expressed confidence that the overcrowding challenge is being sorted out.
He at the same time appealed to other Kenyans of good will, to follow suit, by supporting in whichever way they can.
During a recent visit by Correctional Services Principal Secretary (PS), Mary Muthoni, it was revealed that efforts are underway to shift some of the prisoners to the nearby Yatta, Murang’a and Ruiru prisons.
The PS said prisoners should lead decent lives and thus the need to decongest the Thika prison.
Thika Chief Magistrate, Stella Atambo, who led the donation exercise said the donations were as a result of good collaboration between stakeholders in the Criminal Justice System.
Atambo said the Judiciary and Court Users’ Committee, are working around the clock to tackle congestion in the prison, saying they are currently reviewing a list of 162 cases of petty offenders, in a bid to prefer Non-Custodial Sentences.
She added that every Friday, the court sends a Magistrate to visit the prison, to review bond terms, which is among the raft of measures of decongesting the Prison.
By Muoki Charles
