September 25, 2015
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Kamiti Maximum Security Prison is a prison in Nairobi, Kenya. It is located in the agricultural district of Kiambu. Originally named "Kamiti Downs", it sits in the middle of its own 1,200 acre (4.9 km2) estates which lie fallow and untended.

During the 1980s and early 1990s many political prisoners were held at Kamiti, including Kenneth Matiba, Raila Odinga, Koigi wa Wamwere, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Jonah Anguka and numerous others.

Many executions have been carried out in Kamiti. Rebel leader Dedan Kimathi was hanged by the British colonial administration on February 18, 1957. 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.

Kenya's prisons are infamous for poor conditions and inhumane treatment, although the situation has improved slightly during Mwai Kibaki's government since 2002 and some prisoners at death row have been released. There is still no reliable water supply, with over 200 prisoners hauling buckets of water around daily. The inmates working in the "industry" section are paid only 10 cents (Kenya shilling) per day, as per the outdated 1940s legislation which rules the organisation.

Within the prison, condemned "G" block is famed for its particularly brutal lifestyle, characterised by predatory sodomy and mobile phone confidence tricksters. The prison was built for 1400 prisoners, and it now houses over 3600 in conditions of unbelievable squalor.

On the 17th November 2008 a search was carried out in G block for mobile phones which resulted, ironically, in a brutal beating by the warders being captured on mobile phone video and given to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and shown on Kenyan TV.

This resulted in The Officer in charge, Joseph Mutevesi, being suspended pending the inquest into the death of a prisoner discovered dead from a cerebral hemorrhage. His replacement is Jacob Ayuma Maweu, an uncompromising conservative.

In an attempt to regain control the authorities have banned any supplemental food since 1/1/2009 and malnutrition and ulcers have become far more prevalent.

Kirugumi wa Wanjuki was the longest serving and to date last hangman at Kamiti. Wanjuki died in 2009.

In November 2009 at least eight prisoners died due to cholera outbreak at Kamiti Prison.