By Pili Chimerah
Correctional PS Mary Muthoni (in an orange top) accompanied by Thika West Assistant County Commissioner Philomener Nzioki, Nursing Officer in Charge Julius Mwangi, among others senior officers from the State Department and the County Government during a visit at Thika GK Prison. Photo: Collins William.
At the facility on 19th April 2023, the State Department for Correctional Services Principal Secretary Ms. Mary Muthoni Muriuri, HSC urged the inmates and the prison officers in the facility to ensure they take into serious consideration their personal hygiene and ensure that the environment is clean.
While addressing the inmates, she urged them to wash their hands regularly so as to help in containing the disease.
“Let’s take care of our personal hygiene and let us all ensure that we wash our hands with soap and water on a regular basis,” she said.
Some of the safety measures undertaken in the facility to ensure the disease doesn't spread further include disinfecting, regular testing, decongesting the facility, availability of isolation wards and sensitization about the disease.
The first reported cholera cases came from outside the facility after the inmates who were infected where admitted into the prison where they infected other inmates but the situation was contained and those infected were isolated to prevent further spread.
The PS while addressing journalists said the preventive measures would be practised not only in the affected prison but to other correctional facilities around the country which include having enough water to ensure the facilities are clean at all times.
“We are going to continue to push on the same and secure the spaces so that we don’t have personal hygiene issues affecting us at any given time,” she said.
Accompanying the PS in the tour included Thika West Assistant County Commissioner Philomener Nzioki, Sub- County Probation Officer Millicent Ngari, the Officer in Charge Henry Limanye, Nursing Officer in Charge Julius Mwangi, among others senior officers from the State Department and the County Government.