Leaking roofs, collapsing ceilings: Report reveals shocking state of prisons
Inmates at Nairobi Remand endure rainwater seeping through the roof into their cells, while at Kitengela, food stored for prisoners risks contamination due to leakages in the ration store.
Leaking roofs, collapsing ceilings, and worn-out prison facilities have left inmates exposed to harsh weather, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.
A new audit has revealed the dire conditions in several prisons, showing how neglect and stalled repairs have turned these correctional centers into places of suffering.
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The report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu exposes serious infrastructure failures at Kitengela Main, Nairobi Remand, Thika Main, and Kwale Main prisons.
Inmates at Nairobi Remand endure rainwater seeping through the roof into their cells, while at Kitengela, food stored for prisoners risks contamination due to leakages in the ration store.
Auditors found that ceiling boards had collapsed and floors were disrepair due to years of neglect.
“There is a possibility of contamination of the stored food items due to contact with rainwater from the leaking roof,” the report states, raising alarm over the health risks prisoners face.
Kwale Main Prison has not yet repaired a massive hole in one of its buildings after a partial roof collapse in November 2021, leaving inmates exposed to the elements.
The report questions why the Correctional Services department has failed to address the problem after more than two years.
At Thika Main Prison, leaking roofs, cramped office spaces, and poor ventilation create a difficult working environment for staff, further worsening the already struggling correctional system.
The crisis extends beyond prisons, with auditors flagging poor maintenance at the Prisons Staff Training College, where cracked floors and broken pavements highlight years of neglect.
Adding to the crisis, the report found that despite the urgent need for repairs, no funds were allocated for maintenance in the June 30, 2024 financial year.
Meanwhile, Sh570 million worth of construction projects meant to fix some of these issues have stalled, with taxpayers potentially losing Sh228 million already spent on incomplete work.
As conditions worsen, questions are mounting over the management of prison funds and the government’s commitment to improving correctional facilities.
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