September 5, 2009

Kenya will uphold the rights of jailed Somali pirates, in accordance with the local and international law, Vice-President [VP] Kalonzo Musyoka has said.

He said the piracy was a delicate matter and needed to be handled in accordance with local and international laws.

“Piracy is not only a Kenyan problem but an international challenge that calls for collaborative efforts by both UN and other international players to eliminate,” said the VP.

Kalonzo appealed to the international community to renew its commitment to the restoration of peace in Somalia.

Pirates’ grouse

He was speaking at Shimo la Tewa Prison, Mombasa, during a tour of the facility where he also received and officially opened new staff quarters.

The 20 units of the Phase I Housing Scheme in which 300 modern houses will be constructed for various prisons at cost of 85m shillings [1.1m dollars].

During the tour, the VP met some of the suspected pirates who complained of delay in hearing of their cases.

The VP said 10 of the suspects have been tried and convicted, and are serving their sentences in various institutions.

Kalonzo whose docket oversees the penal institutions said the government was enacting the necessary legal instruments to address international crimes like piracy.

The VP reiterated the government’s commitment to pursue reforms in the penal institutions.

He said housing and better remuneration were some of the reforms in the institutions.

“We intend to implement all the recommendations of the Madoka Taskforce and to motivate our officers and improve their welfare and that of inmates,” he said.

The VP expressed hope that Treasury would increase the budgetary allocation to facilitate reforms.

The Commissioner of Prisons, Isaiah Osugo, commended the housing reforms.

Several government officials including Home Affairs PS [Permanent Secretary] Ludeki Chweya, Coast PC [Provincial Commissioner] Ernest Munyi, Coast Prisons Commander James K’Odieny, Public Works PS Gideon Mulyungi and Shimo la Tewa Prisons Commander Wanini Kereri, accompanied the VP.