Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka on Wednesday asked the prison reforms committee to work speedily in looking at the living conditions of warders.

He described the conditions as pathetic and an embarrassment to the Government.

The Vice-President was speaking after touring Nairobi's Industrial Area Remand Prison, where a fire gutted 12 warders' houses on Tuesday.

Said Mr Musyoka: "This is not acceptable in 21st Century Kenya and I am shocked to see the conditions warders and their families live in in this day and age. The workers and the inmates are all prisoners. Their living conditions are not any different."

Been neglected

He is also the minister for Home Affairs, under which the prisons docket falls. He was accompanied by assistant minister Lorna Laboso.

The prison reforms committee is led by former Cabinet minister Marsden Madoka.

"The warders have been neglected for a long time and it is time their issues were also looked into. The ministry will audit improvements in prisons after two years to see how far we have gone," he added.

Prison warders went on strike last month demanding better pay, better living conditions and uniforms.

Prisons Commandant Gilbert Omondi and Mr Musyoka had initially declared the strike illegal but later acknowledged that the warders deserved better pay and living conditions.

The prison reforms committee, led by Mr Madoka, was also at the prison to assess its state, but refused to talk to the press, saying they were on a private visit.

The Vice President said his ministry would give the reforms team the support it needs to make the necessary improvements in the country's jails.

"I will soon give a report to Parliament about the issue but ask the officers to be disciplined as reforms start."

Mr Musyoka later promised to speed up judicial reforms so that suspects do not have to stay on remand for long before their cases are heard.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Commissioner of Prisons Gilbert Omondi emerge out of a burnt house at Nairobi remand prison.

A prison officer shows Mr Musyoka the remains of some of his furniture after a fire broke out on Tuesday at Nairobi remand prison staff quarters.

Home Affairs minister Kalonzo Musyoka and his assistant Lorna Laboso pass a burnt-out house at Nairobi remand prison.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka talks to Commissioner of Prisons Gilbert Omondi at Nairobi remand prison.

Home Affairs minister Kalonzo Musyoka, Assistant minister Lorna Laboso and Prisons Commissioner Gilbert Omondi arrive at Nairobi Remand prison.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka holds three-and-a-half year old Bradley Chesoli as his father Andrew Chesoli, an officer at Nairobi remand prison, looks on.

Home Affairs minister Kalonzo Musyoka inspects the Guard of Honour at Langata Women's Prison.

Grace Odhiambo, officer in-charge of Langata Women's Prison, welcomes Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka at the start of his tour.

Grace Odhiambo, officer in-charge of Langata Women's Prison and German Ambassador with inmates after the envoy donated balls and prison uniforms to the women.