The government has denied reports that Migori Governor Okoth Obado is being accorded preferential treatment at Industrial Area Remand Prison where he is detained over the murder of Rongo University student Sharon Otieno.
In a statement sent to newsrooms on Monday, Prisons Commissioner General Isaiah Osugo said Governor Obado is being treated like any other inmate awaiting trial.
“We wish to state categorically that Hon. Obado has not been given any preferential treatment in terms of accommodation, clothing, feeding and visits which are all regulated in accordance to Prisons and Regulations,” said Mr. Osugo.
The prison’s boss further said that Obado, like other suspects, is only allowed to put on home clothes while appearing in court.
“During production to court, Hon. Obado like other awaiting inmates is allowed to put on his home clothes and when back to custody put on prison uniforms as is the procedure for inmates awaiting trial,” he said.
Mr. Osugo said upon admission at Industrial area prison, Obado was procedurally given a prison number and “placed in a cell Block for capital offenders (murder suspects).”
“Hon. Obado was issued with prison requirements including uniforms for Capital Offenders as required by the Prison Rules and Regulations,” added Mr. Osugo.
The statement by the prisons commissioner general comes after Citizen TV reported that Governor Obado was being treated with dignity and given very good food.
Governor Obado was locked up at the Industrial Area prison after the court declined to grant him bail.
In her ruling, Justice Jessie Lessit noted that the court could not determine the governor’s bail application before all the witness statements are filed in court.
Judge Lessit ruled that Governor Obado be detained until October 8, 2018 when his bail application will be reconsidered together with that of his co-accused.
-citizentv.co.ke
