Embattled televangelist Gilbert Juma Deya on Thursday decried the poor conditions at Kamiti Maximum Prison when he appeared in court.
The controversial preacher complained to the court that the
conditions in the room where was being held were pathetic and inhumane.
Through his lawyer John Swaka, the preacher also accused the
Government of not honouring an alleged agreement between the British government
and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that he be accorded special
treatment while in prison.
Mr Swaka said Mr Deya was not allowed to leave his room from
7 pm, “and because there are no washrooms, he has to use a bucket and keep it
in his room till morning”.
“He is made to wash the bucket with his bare hands,” the
lawyer said.
“The single room cell is extremely dirty and the mattress
has bugs which have been biting my client since August 4.”
Swaka added: “There was an agreement that he be given a
special single room to himself but when he was taken to Kamiti, he was locked
in an extremely dirty room with 11 other people. The room is full of insects
which have been biting him ever since.”
However, senior assistant DPP Nicholas Mutuku denied
knowledge of any such arrangement.
He told the court that if Deya was not satisfied with the
treatment, he should raise the matter when the hearing of the case begins.
Chief magistrate Felix Andayi said he could not do much to
address the situation, only saying that the authorities should try to ensure
that the cells meet international standards for prisons.
Deya was extradited from Britain last week and charged
with child trafficking.
He has been charged with five counts of stealing five
underage children between 1999 and 2004 before allegedly fleeing to London.
A ruling on his application to be released on bail will be
delivered today.
