This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
Published on December 11, 2019, Mike Sonko's recent admission of having HIV sparked a conversation about the disease and life expectancy.
However, the harsh realities of life in prison, as narrated by ex-inmate Ismael, paint a stark contrast to the comforts of life outside the walls.
Ismael recounts how prisoners in Manyani Maximum Prison engage in a disturbing practice where they 'bid' for new inmates, with the highest bidder turning the 'newbie' into a wife.
When prisoners arrive, they are allocated sleeping quarters by a prisoner in charge, who can be bribed with amounts ranging from Sh300 to Sh500.
The highest bidder gets to assign the new prisoner to their cell, where they will have to share a mattress, food, and cigarettes with their 'husband.'
However, come night, the new prisoner will have to pay back, highlighting the exploitation that takes place in the prison.
Ismael also described the squalid conditions in the sleeping halls, where dozens of people are packed into a small space, with the smell of urine lingering in the humid air.
They slept on tattered mattresses, with mosquitoes biting every piece of uncovered flesh.
Ismael's account paints a grim picture of life in Manyani Maximum Prison, where inmates face loneliness, exploitation, and squalid conditions.
Despite the harsh realities, some inmates with money and influence are able to live a relatively luxurious life, with private cells, mattresses, and access to satellite TV and other amenities.
