At least 10 prison wardens at the Shikusa Prisons in Lubao, Kakamega County have tested positive for Covid-19, Nairobi Leo has established.
According to a senior officer at the institution, 8 of the 27 Covid-19 infections reported in Kakamega on Sunday were officers at the institution.
The officer who did not want to be named disclosed to Nairobi Leo that senior officers from the Bostol Institution at Shikusa were in isolation while a number of officers were hospitalised.
"Eight of the cases reported in Kakamega on Sunday were from our officers. There's tension because of this outbreak. Only isolated cases of inmates have been tested but those who tested positive are at St Mary's Mission Hospital in Mumias.
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"A few officers who have good housing are self-isolating. The information is not yet out there because the bosses don't want the stigma that's likely to be directed at us. The local community around Lubao live with us," disclosed the officer on condition that we do not name them.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Health reported 27 new infections in Kakamega County. Officers at the Shikusa GK Prisons now fear more cases could be found among inmates who are yet to be subjected to mass testing.
Officers living in rented houses say the locals have ignored health and safety measures issued by the government and only a few people wear masks.
"It is scary to even imagine how we are going to continue living with the people here given the cases confirmed were all from our colleagues. We will be seen as the ones spreading the virus.
"Kila mtu sasa atasema askari ndio wameleta Corona. We can't even go home because you could easily carry the virus and infect other family members. We are now confined around this area," stated another officer who is not authorised to speak to the media.
In April this year, the Kenya Prisons released at least 4800 convicts to free up prisons as a way of preventing mass infections. Most of those freed were petty offenders.
