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Kenya: Naivasha Prison Officers Join Strike
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The East African Standard (Nairobi)
26 April 2008
Posted to the web 25 April 2008
Antony Gitonga
Nairobi
More than 500 warders from the Naivasha GK Prison downed tools demanding a risk allowance.
The warders marched within the prison's precincts. During the demonstration, they closed the main prison road and at one point blocked police officers from taking suspects to court.
Waving placards and twigs, the officers threatened to free death row inmates on Monday if their grievances were not addressed.
The warders said that they had been exempted from getting risk allowances. They questioned the criteria for awarding the police the allowances saying they also put their lives at risk.
"We are also exposed to risks. Perhaps even greater risk," said one of the warders.
The warders escort prisoners from police cells to the courts and back, duties they said they would not perform until the grievances are addressed.
Other complains are poor working conditions, deplorable housing, worn out uniforms and embezzlement of money from their co-operative.
"The police are now being given decent housing units yet we are forced to share houses due to congestion, at the prison quarters," they said.
The warders also want an audience with Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, who is the Minister for Home Affairs, over the issue.
Speaking at his office, the Officer in Charge, Mr Patrick Mwenda of the Naivasha Maximum Prison however said work at the reform facility had not being affected.
"We are in full strength and the operations are continuing as usual. That is just a hitch," he said.
Mwenda said the protesting officers were off duty.
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The main and the annex prison have more than 700 officers who run the reform facility.
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