Inmates at Nakuru GK Prison refuse to be shackled by the HIV condition

Lorries ferrying inmates at the Nakuru GK Prison drop them as they disperse to their different boarding blocks.

Another group of inmates, dressed in prison uniforms and ordinary attire, are seen heading to the dispensary centre adjacent to the boarding area.

While the society knowsl little of  the health services offered at the facility, the dispensary provides guiding and counselling, voluntary testing and anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to HIV positive inmates.

Nakuru GK Prison initiated a Jakiza Self-Help Group, registered in 2009, to encourage inmates to overcome stigma of HIV.

The group of 138 occasionally convene to conduct weekly meetings under the guidance of their supervisors.

Jane Kipchumba, an officer in-charge of the HIV/Aids counseling programme, takes a register of members present before starting the meeting.

She takes them through HIV training and counselling and advises them to adhere to medication, observe personal hygiene and use protection while engaging in sexual activities. The members are also advised to take balanced diet to boost their health.

“Members claim ARV drugs make them weak. This implies that most of us take the medication and do not feed well. These drugs are strong and require proper feeding,” she explains.

As the training proceeds, we see some inmates walk towards the Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre, ready to take the test.

What they learn

Samuel Chege Maina, a remandee waiting for conviction, told The Standard on Sunday that the daily health talks provided at the facility inspired him to undergo testing.

“Through the trainings, I learned why it is important to ascertain my status and how better to take care of myself,” said Maina.

Chege observes it is unfortunate that most people die of HIV because of lack of knowledge on how to live a healthy life. Isaac Mwaura, another member convicted for robbery with violence in 2009 and who is also HIV positive, says Jakiza has helped him gain confidence and how to remain sexually active while on drugs.

He has learned that prescribed drug taking to boost the immune system.

“Immediately I was put on drugs, I developed swelling legs, rashes all over my body. However, I later learned this was as a result of   failing to take drugs at the stipulated time,” he explains.

The members are also taught entrepreneurial skills, which involves the manufacture of   detergents and yoghurt.

William Stanley Otieno, from Sondu, and who was convicted of robbery, leads the class in soap making lessons.

The manufactured soap, among other products, is supplied to supermarkets, wholesale shops, government offices and individual consumers.

Otieno, a father of three, says through the forums in which they share their experiences and encourage one another,    he has been inspired to face life challenges a stronger person.

Another remandee, David Githu, 49, from Nyahururu says the group has enabled him to appreciate his status and take medication as prescribed.

Githu says he got infected as a long-distance driver in 1997.

“My job demanded that I move from place to place, and in the course of my duty, I got involved with an infected woman, that is how I fell victim,” he recalls.

Githu, a mason, says the group has helped him acquire skills in the manufacture of soap, yoghurt and detergents. “I am a mason, but I will now set up a yoghurt firm for my wife to supplement our income,” he observes.

Other activities undertaken at the facility include bead work, electronics and farming.

According Charles Kimani, the officer in-charge of HIV services at the facility, entrepreneurial skills equip inmates for other income generating activities to help improve their financial status.

Kimani says the activities are encouraged because they keep inmates busy and avoid stress and loneliness associated with the epidemic.

He says Jakiza has inspired HIV infected staff to establish their own association- the Nakuru Psychological Support Group- which consists of 17 members.

Geoffrey Karugu, the chairman, says they encourage members to be positive and lead normal life just like any other person.

Mandatory test

“There are so many officers reported to have committed suicide after testing positive. We are encouraging staff on how to live positively,” says Karugu.

The group is working on establishing poultry and rabbit rearing to boost their diet and earn extra income.

James Sawe, the officer in-charge, says inmates undergo mandatory Tuberculosis (TB) tests conducted by the reception board because of congestion to avoid re-infection and spreading the disease.

After TB tests, they are provided with information on HIV and encouraged to undergo the HIV test to ascertain their status.

Those who test positive are referred for more counselling and enrolled on drugs to boost their immune system.

Extra food

Additional information is also acquired from doctors.

“The facility ensures all members take their drugs as prescribed. They are served extra food, including a glass of milk daily to ensure healthy feeding to supplement the medication” he adds.

On release, the facility acquires equipment from the group’s saving account to enable inmates establish income-generating projects.

“We would like our members to have stable source of income to sustain their livelihoods and delicate health. We use the proceeds we acquire from the sale of our products to buy them equipment on release,” he concludes.