 |
|
The six inmates on the run were being held at Kisii Main Prison and faced various charges including robbery with violence, stock theft and defilement. (Photo:Denish Ochieng/Standard) |
Kisii, Kenya: Police in Kisii have launched a massive hunt for six inmates who escaped from a police vehicle while being transported to Kisii Main Prison from Ogembo Magistrate's Court on Thursday afternoon.
Kisii Police boss, Simon Kiragu, confirmed the escape, which occurred when the police lorry carrying them approached Nyansongo up-hill on the Kilgoris-Kisi road.
Kiragu said there were 24 remand prisoners in the lorry who appeared for mention and hearing of various cases including robbery with violence, burglary, stock theft and defilement.
He said the remand prisoners caused commotion in the vehicle as the vehicle slowed down on the hill.
“When the vehicle approached Nyansongo, there was commotion, when the four officers on escort tried to intervene, 10 jumped out of the vehicle and fled,” Kiragu said.
Three prisoners, Calen Mokeira (robbery with violence), Evans Moriti (Disturbance) and George kerosi (defilement) were shot as they tried to escape.
Those shot sustained serious bullet injuries and were rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH) for medical attention.
KTRH Chief Executive officer Dr Enock Ondari said the patients were in a stable condition and had undergone surgery.
According to Kiragu, police later arrested one of the escapees through the support of the community.
“We are requesting members of the public to be vigilant and immediately report to the police on possible hideouts of those criminals,” said Kiragu.
Kiragu defended the officers over negligence claims, saying some of the remand prisoners who caused commotion in the vehicle might have had an intention to escape from police custody.
“It seems they had schemed for the escape as they attacked the officers when the vehicle was going up-hill,” Kiragu told journalists in his office.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join