Kenya police arrest prison warden over rape of patient in Covid-19 quarantine

Kenyan police arrested a prison warden accused of raping a female patient in a COVID-19 isolation facility he was meant to be guarding, a police report said on Friday.

It was the latest in a string of incidents highlighting substandard conditions at some government-run coronavirus treatment centre in the East African country.

The attack may add to fears over treatment in government facilities that health experts have warned may deter Kenyans from coming forward to be tested for the new coronavirus.

Earlier this year there were several breakouts from the quarantine centre amid bitter complaints about inadequate food, water and hygiene from those kept inside.

In March, authorities said they were investigating a reported suicide at a quarantine facility.

The latest incident occurred at a centre in the western border town of Busia that was guarded by both police and prison officers, according to the police report seen by Reuters.

It said a colleague had noticed the prison officer talking to a patient, felt uncomfortable and left to alert other officers.

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