This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
On a typical morning at Kamiti Maximum Prison, a sense of calm usually prevails. However, on this particular day, the atmosphere was tense as a group of inmates, allegedly involved in con messages, clashed with warders who were conducting a mop-up operation.
According to sources, the chaos erupted when some of the inmates resisted surrendering contrabands, sparking a violent confrontation with the warders.
Located in Kenya's most secured prison, Kamiti has a reputation for being a maximum-security facility with state-of-the-art cameras and hawk-eyed guards. Yet, despite these measures, contrabands continue to find their way into the facility, often with the involvement of corrupt warders and managers.
Previous mop-ups have uncovered a range of contrabands, including laptops, internet modems, sim cards, mobile phones, cigarettes, hard drugs, knives, and razor blades. These items are used by inmates to swindle unsuspecting members of the public, with many investigations suggesting that a significant percentage of mobile phone scams in Kenya are executed by prison inmates.
One source, who spoke to the chief editor of this site on anonymity, revealed the extent of the corruption within the facility. 'From here, I can run my businesses without being detected. I have bought matatus, built houses, and bought land through third parties in various parts of the country. If I leave this place, I am sure that I will be richer than I could have imagined while outside,' the source stated, claiming that prisoners make about Sh500,000 in a week from fraud cases.
The source further alleged that the prisoners feel protected from the law, citing the fact that the laws rarely extend to the prisons. 'The long arm of the law cannot catch up with us because the laws rarely extend to the Prisons,' the source claimed.
As the investigation into the contraband scandal continues, one thing is clear: the corruption and organized crime within Kamiti Maximum Prison are a serious concern that requires immediate attention.
