This archive report was first published on 14 December 2019.
Published on December 14, 2019, Joseph Kuria Irungu, alias Jowie, a prime suspect in the murder of business lady Monica Kimani, has sued the State over alleged mistreatment while behind bars.
Irungu, who has been in custody for over a year, claims he is being subjected to inhumane treatment in a cell infested with snakes and bedbugs at Kamiti Maximum Prison.
According to an affidavit filed by Irungu's lawyer, Wilson Nandwa, the applicant is being physically assaulted by a prison warder named Mr. Lekulal and others for no reason.
Irungu alleges that Lekulal warned him that he would 'throw him into a hole that he would never come out of,' which led to his transfer from Kamiti Maximum Prison to Manyani Prison in Voi.
He is currently on a hunger strike in protest over the alleged mistreatment and wants his application certified as urgent, seeking to be escorted to Kiambu Police Station to report the incident.
Lawyer Nandwa asks the court to restrain prison officers from mistreating Irungu, who he claims is in need of a medical examination, preferably at Kiambu Hospital.
