Ex-NTV Journalist Moses Bola in Prison Petitions for Inmates' Rights

An undated image of former NTV journalist Moses Dola in court
An undated image of former NTV journalist Moses Dola in court
File

Former NTV journalist Moses Bola has filed a petition at the Milimani Law Courts pushing for inmates be allowed to attend burials of their loved ones.

This followed his failed appeal to attend his mother's burial, an incident he detailed took a toll on him emotionally.

Bola who is serving a ten-year sentence at the Kiambu prison for killing his wife noted he has spoken on behalf of the hundreds of heartbroken inmates who lost their loved ones but were unable to pay their last respects.

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"When convicts and remand inmates fail to attend the funerals of their close family members, it subjects them to untold mental anguish and depression," he stated in his petition.

"Many of the inmates can not afford to file applications in court to ask for permission to attend funerals," he added.

The ex-journalist further argued the inmates are sidelined and lose their rights to equal protection and equal benefit of enjoyment.

Bola argued that no law prohibits prisoners from attending the burial of their loved ones. He added that his petition is backed by the Constitution, United Nations statutes, and other relevant authorities that advocate for human rights.

He demanded the courts involve the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) to draft ways to ensure inmates participate in the funeral services of their kin.

"There should be set structures by the KPS through the commissioner General of prisons to deal with funerals relating to close family members of convicted prisoners and remand inmates across all prisons within the republic of Kenya," he stated.

Bola demanded the KPS set up a disciplinary committee that looks into how inmates will attend funerals. According to Bola, the prisoners should be handcuffed and accompanied by police officials.

Additionally, he urged the Attorney General, the commissioner general of prisons, including other relevant bodies to draft the necessary legal frameworks to implement the process.

To drive his point home, he used the example of Sarah Wairimu Cohen, widow of the late businessman Tob Cohen who was allowed to attend the burial while in prison.

Sarah Wairimu appeared in court on October 3, 2019.
Sarah Wairimu appeared in court on October 3, 2019.
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