Turkana Woman Rep Joyce Emanikor and Loima Member of Parliament Jeremiah Lomorukai have called for relocation of the congested Lodwar prison to a more spacious site outside the town centre.
The leaders said the facility that is next to the busy Lodwar Airstrip requires enough space for expansion.
“There are more than 700 inmates at the prison. The county and national governments should work closely and identify a more suitable place for the facility,” Ms Emanikor said.
Mr Lomorukai said that the current location of the prison should be converted to commercial use to earn revenue for the county.
“Adequate space for the prison will ensure inmates access to useful technical skills,” he said.
The leaders were speaking on Sunday when they joined former inmate and now celebrated gospel artiste Hussein Shaban for Christmas celebration.
Mr Shaban, or Burnsen B, was jailed for six years on a robbery with violence charge and was released in 2016.
The musician had mobilised his friends and supporters and bought foodstuff and gifts for the inmates.
Now reformed, Bunsen B is fundraising to help newly released inmates, who have acquired different skills, start their own businesses. BY DAILY NATION