Kakamega Prisons Wardens thwart escape attempt

Police officers at Kakamega Prison after Prison waders had raised an alarm after a prisoner had escaped on May 20, 2015. Members of the public assisted police to re-rarest the prisoner at Amalemba estate in Kakamega town. PHOTO: BENJAMIN SAKWA/STANDARD]  

KENYA: Operations at Kakamega Main Prison came to a standstill yesterday morning after gunshots rent the air following an inmate's attempt to escape.

Confirming the incident to The Standard, Officer-in-Charge Jonathan Koech said that Lewis Wanyama, a remand prisoner headed towards the urinals before making a dash for his short-lived freedom.

"Wanyama pretended to be going to the ablution but ran over the fence. Our warder spotted him," he said.

After a 15-man hunt, he was arrested near PAG Church in Amalemba estate where he was hiding after the prison officers, some of whom stay in Amalemba, confronted him in his hideout.

When arrested he said he was going to his uncle's funeral.