Kamiti Maximum Security Prison
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kamiti Maximum Security Prison is a prison in Nairobi, Kenya. It is located in northern outskirts of Nairobi, not far from Kenyatta University.
During the 80's and early 90's many political prisoneers were held at Kamiti, including Kenneth Matiba, Raila Odinga, Koigi wa Wamwere, Ngugi wa Thiong'o and numerous others.
Many executions have been carried out in Kamiti. Rebel leader Dedan Kimathi was hanged by British colonial administration on February 18, 1957 [1]. Hezekiah Ochuka and Pancras Oteyo Okumu were executed there on May 17, 1987. No death penalties have been held in Kenya since, although capital punishment is not formally abolished [2].
Kenya's prisons are infamous for poor conditions and inhumane treatment, although the situation has improved during Mwai Kibaki's government since 2002 [3] and some prisoners at death row have been even released [2].
[edit] References
- ^ KBC, November 20, 2006: Freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi to be honored
- ^ a b Daily Nation, January 7, 2007: On death row for 31 years [1]
- ^ BBC News, June 28, 2004: Kenya's prisoners go hi-tech
