Prison warder beaten by boss over arrest

Story by MICHAEL MUGWANG’A
Publication Date: 12/27/2007

A prison warder is fighting for his life after he was reportedly beaten up by his boss at Kamiti Maximum Prison on Christmas eve.

The warder is said to have been beaten unconscious after he allegedly arrested a relative of his boss whom he found smoking bhang in the prison compound.

The junior officer was on duty patrolling the prison when he reportedly stumbled upon the young man smoking the bhang and asked him why he was doing so.

Witnesses said the young man rudely told off the officer, prompting his arrest.

Smoking bhang

The young man is said to have alerted the senior officer, a sergeant, and reported that he was being harassed.

Soon the sergeant and other relatives rushed to the scene and intercepted the two as they walked to the report office.

“The boss came armed with an anti riot baton landed on the officer without even asking any question,” a source told the Nation, adding that the sergeant’s wife cheered him on as he beat his victim senseless.

The screams of the junior officer attracted the attention of other warders who rushed to the scene but when they realised that it was their boss meting out the beating, decided to stay at a distance until they saw their colleague fainting.

“The sergeant beat the junior officer until he passed out. We had no choice but intervene and calm him,” said the source. A prison pick-up truck was soon brought and the warder rushed to Kiambu District Hospital. But he could not secure admission since only a few attendants were on duty that night.

Nursing injuries

The warder was taken back to his house in the prison hall where he is still nursing his injuries as colleagues try to find ways of assisting him.

Assistant commissioner of prisons Peter Njuguna who is in charge of the prison confirmed the incident and said he was dealing with it.

“I am aware of the incident and we are dealing with it internally,” said Mr Njuguna.

He added that the misunderstanding between the two was personal.