Remandee protests after being denied special diet

A remandee with HIV has expressed concern over a reduction in food provided to individuals battling the virus at Kakamega Main Prison. The remandee fears the diminished food allocation could compromise their immunity.

“I am an HIV-positive person, and I need the diet so much, but unfortunately, the prison directed that the double ration we usually get be stopped,” the remandee told Justice Patrick Otieno.

He expressed regret that despite the decrease in the number of HIV-infected individuals from 37 in 2016, when he was first incarcerated at the prison, to about 13 presently, such a reduction in food allocation has never occurred before.

He said they were denied food based on the false belief that if HIV patients stayed healthy, "we would get energy and spread the virus in prison".

“I would wish to record a complaint with the police as I seek the prison’s in charge to appear before the court and explain why such discrimination is ongoing,” he added, disputing a letter from the prison as not reflecting the reality on the ground. Justice Otieno ordered the superintendent to appear in court on January 22 next year to address the issues raised by the inmate.