Maseme Machuka And James Ratemo
26 April 2008
Nairobi — Prison services in Nairobi suffered as officers staged a go-slow demanding risk allowances.
Court proceedings were halted after prison wardens failed to escort prisoners to court for their cases.
At the Industrial Area Prison, wardens took the prisoners to court at 10am instead of eight.
But the cases were suspended and the remandees taken back to the busy prison.
Those at the Kamiti Maximum prison also failed to appear in court for the mention and hearing of their cases.
Mr P Ekai, the Court of Appeal Executive Officer, was forced to inquire from prison authorities the whereabouts of convicts who had their appeals listed for the day.
Sources said prison authorities could be forced to release death row convicts if the wardens' demands were not addressed urgently.
The wardens are demanding a 10 per cent salary increment, Sh10,000 for the services they rendered during the General Election and risk allowances.
At the Nairobi West Prison, the wardens also staged a go-slow.
The wardens are also demanding medical insurance as the Police.
Those who talked to The Saturday Standard said they have lived under wanting conditions for a long time.
Only Nairobi Women's Prison took its prisoners to court as scheduled.
The Officer-in-Charge, Ms Grace Odhiambo said in the past, increments were done at the same time with those of the Police.
She said this must have disappointed the wardens.
"I do hope this will be solved early so that it won't get out of hand," she said.
The Officer-in-Charge of Nairobi Remand and Allocation Prisons, Mrs Pauline Ngara said the institutions were not been affected and prisoners were taken to court as usual.
But a check showed evident tension and a general lack of moral among the warders. Prisoners from Lang'ata were also taken to court late.
Wardens, who spoke on anonymity, at Nairobi Remand Prison, Nairobi West and Lang'ata Women's Prison, also complained of lack of uniform.
"The Government is supposed to provide us with uniforms yet we are forced to buy," a warden said.
Most of them have been forced to buy shoes at a cost of Sh1,500 and uniform at between Sh1,000 and Sh1,500.
"Since my passing out 11 years ago, I have never been given a free uniform, yet am expected to be clean and smart every day. Only senior officers benefit from the free provisions," he said.
Prison uniforms are usually dispatched through the Nairobi, Industrial Area Remand Prison but sources said officers in this office sell the items, illegally.
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