Shimo la Tewa Prison plunged into darkness after power cut
What you need to know:
- The blackout has also affected Shimo La Tewa Women Prison, the Borstal Institution and the Shimo La Tewa staff quarters.
- Prison officers at the facility are worried that the inmates especially terror suspects might escape from jail.
- Shimo La Tewa Prison Commander Samuel Nyutu said they have improvised to ensure the facility is well lit at night.
Power connection to Shimo La Tewa Maximum Prison has been cut posing a security threat.
Kenya Power cut supply due to Sh256, 124.90 unpaid bill.
The prison is the largest correctional facility at the Coast holding international and local terror suspects facing charges at the Mombasa Law Courts.
The power was cut a week ago affecting operation at the prison.
The blackout has also affected Shimo La Tewa Women Prison, the Borstal Institution and the Shimo La Tewa staff quarters.
PRISON BREAK
Prison officers at the facility are worried that the inmates especially terror suspects might escape from jail.
The situation has forced the prison officers to be extra vigilant ‘'in case of anything'’.
“We are in total darkness. They might try do anything, so we have to be cautious,” said a senior prison official who wished not to be named since he is not allowed to talk to the press.
The source revealed that duties such as tailoring, baking and carpentry done by the inmates using electric machines have been suspended.
Shimo La Tewa Prison Commander Samuel Nyutu said they have improvised to ensure the facility is well lit at night.
“We are using a standby generator so there is no cause of alarm,” he said.
Speaking with the Nation on phone, Mr Nyutu said the outage has affected the entire Shimo La Tewa facility.
Late last year prison authorities scaled the perimeter wall higher after reports emerged that some inmates were planning to escape.
