A prison officer from Kamiti Maximum Security Prison has been implicated in the escape of three terror convicts in 2021.
In a statement released by the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Tuesday, November 25, it was revealed that the officer played a role in facilitating the jailbreak.
The ODPP disclosed that the officer had moved the convicts from one cell to another to aid their escape. Following evidence presented at the Kahawa Law Courts, the court ruled that the officer had a case to answer.
“On November 14, 2021, three terrorism inmates at GK Kamiti Maximum Prison, namely Musharraf Abdalla, Mohamed Ali Abikar, and Joseph Juma, who are currently serving 42, 22, and 15 years of imprisonment respectively, escaped custody under the watch of the prison wardens,” read the statement in part.
The ODPP further detailed that the officer also faces charges of convening a meeting in support of a terrorist group, allegedly assisting the movement of the convicts from Cell Number 2 to Cell Number 6 prior to the breakout.
Additionally, several other officers are under scrutiny for neglecting their duties during the incident.
“The court at Kahawa ruled that the prosecution, represented by Principal Prosecution Counsels James Machirah, Ken Amwayi, Harrison Kiarie, and Gideon Kiprono, had established a prima facie case against 12 senior officers,” the ODPP stated.
The escape of the three convicts in November 2021 caused a national uproar, prompting the government to offer a Ksh60 million reward for information leading to their capture.
The fugitives were apprehended days later in Kitui County as they attempted to flee to Garissa County, ending the high-stakes manhunt.
