Prisoners ask government to weed out radicalisation from Kenyan jails

Inmates making vehicle number plates at Kamiti Maximum Prison. (Photo:File/Standard)

NAIROBI: A petition filed at the National Assembly claims that Kenya's prisons are becoming havens of radicalisation by terrorists.

Prisoners are concerned that the correctional facilities could slowly be turning into safe havens for terrorists keen on spreading their radical ideology, and have sought the intervention of the House in stemming what they said is the misuse of prisons.

They want 'normal prisoners' separated from those convicted for terror-related charges who are using correctional facilities to recruit new members.

"It is clear that Kenya has been facing serious security challenges because of institutions such as prisons. It is becoming clear that radicalisation is becoming a norm in our prisons today, "reads the petition tabled on Tuesday last week.

The prisoners also want the production of vehicle number plates moved from the Kamiti Maximum Prison to the National Youth Service (NYS), arguing that the activity is being abused.

"It is widely known and acknowledged that Kamiti is the only place where number plate are prepared. It is sickening to see how this facility has been aiding criminals in carrying out crimes within this country. It is for this reason that we the petitioners are advising the Government to relocate this facility to the NYS headquarters. We are Kenyans who love their land and we only pray that our advice will be of great help to this country," the prisoners say in their petition.

Poor conditions

The prisoners, however, do not explain how the number plate factory has been abused. They have further called for the improvement of prison conditions, including the sacking of officers they claim have been meting out brutal punishment on inmates.

House Minority Deputy Leader Jakoyo Midiwo wondered how the petition had reached the National Assembly, and claimed that Kenya's new won freedoms could be under abuse by people who should be only enjoy limited freedoms.

Speak of the National assembly, Justin Muturi acknowledged that he had received the petition, which has now been referred to the House Administration and National Security Committee.

The petition was signed by three prisoners, namely Nicholas Owino Okoth, Nicholas Ouma Obonyo and Richard Chememzo Ngeiywo. The three are incarcerated at the Naivasha Maximum Prison.