Kenyans will have to think twice before engaging in corruption if the ongoing experience of the NYS scandal suspects is anything to go by.
What started as ‘just another corruption case’ has turned into an emblem of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s resolve to fight corruption, with top public officers subjected to humiliating remand life in a manner not witnessed in modern Kenya.
By the time they appear in court for a bail hearing on Tuesday, June 5, over 20 of the suspects will have spent one week at either the Industrial Area Remand Prison or the Lang’ata Women’s Prison.
It will unarguably go down as the longest week in the lives of Public Service PS Lillian Omollo, NYS Director-General Richard Ndubai, glamorousair’ supplier Ann Ngirita and numerous other high-end suspects.
For starters, the Industrial Area Prison, notoriously referred to as Indaa, is not a home for the faint-hearted.
It is worlds apart from the lavish Muthaiga, Runda, Kitisuru and Karen homes from where the suspects were plucked a week ago.
Here, all the trappings of power are shed and lavish upmarket lifestyles surrendered as man becomes one with abject misery.
At the prison, Ndubai and company have had to contend with breakfast strictly comprising of tea or porridge, served at 6.30am daily.
It is preceded by an ignominious roll call, with another awaiting 12 hours later.
Ugali and vegetables is all they have for lunch and supper, and not at a time of their choice.
Lunch at the facility is strictly served at 12.30pm, while dinner is served at 5.30pm, all done in a hall without chairs or tables.
The meals are taken in plastic utensils and with bare hands as there are no spoons on offer.
Here, they have to choose their sleeping points on the floor, an old half-inch foam mattress their only comfort.
The millionaires are required to take part in prison community service – like cleaning the sleeping cubicles – every morning, regardless of their status. According to the Star newspaper, it is only after cleaning that they are free to mingle with fellow remandees or go back to ‘bed’.
Relatives can only see and talk to them for a maximum of 15 minutes daily.
The fact that this can only be done through a window sealed with wire mesh to ensure no physical contact underlines the reduced freedom.
Relatives can actually only bring along crucial items such as tissue paper, soap and toothpaste.
The accused will on Tuesday learn if they will be released on bond or remain in custody until their case is heard and determined.
