Two warders seriously injured by prisoners resisting search for contraband

By Kevine Omollo

Kisumu, Kenya: Five prisoners and two warders have been seriously injured after a fight broke during a search at Kibos Prison in Kisumu County.

The prisoners who had denied the warders access into the prison block poured human waste to the officers before capturing three of them.

They then descended on the warders with blows and kicks injuring two of them.

It forced the prison management to call for reinforcement from the warders who were off duty to save the situation which was getting worse.

The two officers were rushed to the institution’s health facility for treatment.

Assistant Commissioner of Prison in charge of the facility Wilson Okomba said the warders were caught unaware as they had gone for the regular search.

“The officers never expected the worst as the search is an everyday activity. They were ambushed and suffered multiple injuries,” said Okomba.

The officers on reinforcement then engaged the prisoners in a bid to save the warders who had been captured leading to injuries of five prisoners.

Okomba said the prisoners were also treated at the facility and discharged.

“The search, however, proceeded and 30 cell phones were recovered from the prisoners and those who were injured have been treated and they are back to the prison,” Okomba said.

Recently a search at Kodiaga Maximum Prison in the same county led to recovery of over 400 cell phones and bhang worth Sh800, 000.

Okomba said the fight against contraband in the prison has been intensified making the prisoners to rebel.