Ethiopians in Isiolo prison go on hunger strike claiming unfair jailing

Isiolo GK Prison. Sixty-five Ethiopians jailed in the prison for being in Kenya illegally staged a hunger strike on April 13, 2015, saying they were unfairly treated for being put behind bars. FILE PHOTO | VIVIAN JEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The prisoners, who were jailed for being in the country illegally, said their imprisonment was unfair.
  • They refused to take meals on Monday, alleging unfair imprisonment by the Kenyan government.
  • The Ethiopians said they did not know that it was illegal to enter Kenya without a permit and sought forgiveness.
  • They refused to take breakfast and lunch prompting Isiolo Prison Commander Hassan Ibrahim to explain to them why they were behind bars.

Sixty-five Ethiopians serving time at the Isiolo GK Prison for being in the country illegally have staged a hunger strike, saying their imprisonment was unfair.

The foreigners were last month jailed for three months.

The prisoners refused to take meals on Monday, alleging unfair imprisonment by the Kenyan government.

The prisoners also said they did not like the food offered at the prison.

In March, an Isiolo court ruled that the foreigners were arrested and found at the Archers Post roadblock in Samburu County illegally.

The prisoners said they did not know that it was illegal to enter Kenya without a permit and sought forgiveness.

They all pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay a fine of Sh200,000 each or serve three months in jail before being deported to Ethiopia.

On Monday, the prisoners said they resorted to boycotting food because they felt they were "imprisoned for no apparent reason".

REFUSED TO TAKE MEALS

They refused to eat breakfast and lunch, prompting Isiolo Prison Commander Hassan Ibrahim to explain to them why they were behind bars.

“If you cross to Kenya, you should have legal documents and since you did not have them the government had a right to imprison you,” Mr Ibrahim explained.

The prison boss said it was normal for the Ethiopians jailed in the prison to have stomach problems as they were not used to Kenyan food.

The prisoners, however, usually adapt to the food after some time, he added.

Mr Ibrahim said the prisoners complained after five of them experienced stomach problems even after they had all been dewormed, as required.

“This was not a reason for them to refuse to eat because we cannot bring in Ethiopian food or give them a special diet. They should eat what we have,” added Ibrahim.

He also explained to them that even Kenyans imprisoned in Ethiopia have to eat Ethiopian food.

Earlier in the day, 74 other Ethiopians apprehended by police on Monday were arraigned in court, but their case could not proceed due to lack of an interpreter.

Isiolo Police Commander Nelson Okioga said 15 Ethiopians were admitted to Isiolo Level 4 Hospital with injuries.