One of Kenya's largest prisons has had no water for four days

Naivasha Maximum Security Prison in a photo taken in 2008. The institution has been without water for nearly a week. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP.

What you need to know:

  • aHe said the most affected areas are sanitary facilities like lavatories.
  • The prison is one of the largest in the country, with a population of close to 3,000 inmates.
  • This is the second time in less than two months that the prison's water supply has been interrupted due to outstanding debts.

For the fourth day running, the Naivasha Maximum Security Prison has no water.

This institution lost its water supply when its electricity was disconnected over an estimated Sh1.6 million in unpaid bills.

The power is required to pump water from the prison's well.

The prison is one of the largest in the country, with a population of close to 3,000 inmates.

Patrick Mwenda, the officer in charge of the prison, expressed concern about a possible outbreak of diseases if the water supply is not restored.

“The situation is pathetic. We have been assured of reconnection but nothing has been done yet,” said the prison's boss.

He said the most affected areas are sanitary facilities like toilets.

The situation has forced them to purchase water from vendors, including those using donkeys to supply the vital commodity, he said.

PRISON OFFICERS AND FAMILIES

Also affected by the disconnection are prison officers and their families, who have been spending nights in the dark and must rely on private water suppliers.

“We are in a real predicament and we are unsure of how best to address it,” he said.

This is the second time in less than two months that the prison's water supply has been interrupted due to outstanding debts.