Kenyan inmates beaten to death

2004-10-04 16:46

Nairobi - Five prisoners who were found dead in a Kenyan jail last week had been beaten to death, a post-mortem examination revealed on Monday.

The story of the five inmates found dead in a prison in central Kenya last week caused a stir, with Amnesty International demanding the government launch a full investigation into the deaths.

The prisoners at Meru jail near Mount Kenya were initially said to have died of suffocation, as they had been forced to share a cell measuring only 90 by 180 centimetres with seven other inmates.

However, news reports said a post-mortem examination showed that the prisoners had suffered serious head and rib injuries.

It also revealed that one of the victims had been sodomised and beaten to death, The Standard newspaper reported.

The Meru prison was designed to hold 500 prisoners, but currently has 1 400 people incarcerated. Some 47 prisoners have reportedly died at Meru jail this year.

Kenyan human rights activists have demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the 29 wardens on duty during the night of the deaths, said The Standard.

Amnesty said it has made several appeals to Kenyan authorities to ensure prison conditions do not amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.

But the organisation said prison conditions in Kenya continue to be harsh.

Kenya's Prisoners' Commissioner Abraham Kamakil has promised a full investigation into the deaths.

- SAPA