Remand prisoner dies in hospital

By RENSON MNYAMWEZI

and GRACE WEKESA

A remand prisoner has died in hospital, causing panic among prisoners at Wundanyi Prison.

The deceased faced charges of being in possession of ten litres of illicit brews and was in remand since Monday.

He died at Wesu District Hospital following breathing complications.

The accused, Samson Mwaseri, had earlier told the court he suffered from asthma and Wundanyi Resident Magistrate Faith Munyi requested a probation report.

The deceased,50, had been charged with selling intoxicating liquor without a licence on September 6, and pleaded guilty.

Prison authorities said Mwaseri, who hailed from Marubenyi village, Mwambirwa division was taken ill and was diagnosed with asthma at Wundanyi health centre where he was treated and discharged.

However, his condition worsened and he was rushed to Wesu Hospital for specialised treatment, said a senior prisons officer.

Jailed patients

Meanwhile, the civil society has condemned the imprisonment of two tuberculosis patients at Kapsabet Prison.

Action-Aid International Kenya and National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Kenya (Nephak) now want Daniel Ngetich and Patrick Kipngetich released to a health facility.

The two patients were arrested for defaulting TB treatment.

"We demand immediate screening of prisoners and warders to rule out multi-drug resistant," said Kenya Aids NGOs Executive Director Allan Ragi.

The group is concerned that the patients are subjected to harsh prison conditions.

"The Public Health Act provides for isolation of any patients who have failed to take precautions, but it does not say it is prisons," added Ragi.