Kisumu County Secretary Dr Ojwang Lusi speaking at a group of traders at Huduma Hall July 31, 2017. [Photo: hivisasa.com]
The Kisumu County government has threatened to close down Kodiaga GK Prison if it continues using untreated water collected from a local river that led to cholera outbreak at the establishment a week ago.
County Secretary Dr Ojwang Lusi, was emphatic that either Kodiaga moves quickly and use water from Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (KIWASCO) or risk having the institution closed down indefinitely by the Public Health Office.
He said there were two patients diagnosed with cholera admitted at Rainbow hospital whereas the number of those ailing from the same disease at Kodiaga has since dwindled from 28 to 3, a sign that the outburst is being controlled.
“We are all aware that the cholera broke out around Kodiaga GK penitentiary where they are still using water drawn from a local River and which was poorly treated,'' he revealed.
He said Kodiaga had no experts and so should not claim to be treating water and in its place resortt to KIWASCO.
“KIWASCO water is just by the prison’s gate,” explained Dr Lusi, Monday.
He said Kodiaga prison had been using water collected from the river for over 70 years, at times with shattering consequences but all this time they have not been swayed enough to use water from KIWASCO which is professionally treated.
“I visited the prison following the latest deaths attributed to cholera outbreak and I was surprised at the pathetic condition of the water drawn from the River and treating it haphazardly climaxing to the outbreak,'' he clarified.
Dr Lusi was categorical in this light warning that the government will move swiftly and close down Kodiaga prison if they failed to obey.