Faith Masita
Three prison warders attached to Kamiti Maximum Security Prison have been convicted for facilitating the escape of three terrorism convicts in a high-profile prison break that exposed major security lapses within Kenya's correctional system.
The conviction was secured by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) after the prosecution proved that the officers played a role in the escape of the inmates from Kamiti Prison in November 2021.
Court Finds Prison Officers Guilty in 2021 Kamiti Prison Break.
Senior Principal Magistrate Boaz Ombewa, while delivering the judgment at Kahawa Law Courts, ruled that the prison break was not a spontaneous incident but a carefully orchestrated operation.
“I end by noting that it appears from the totality of the evidence that the escape was clearly well-planned and must have taken a considerable amount of time to execute,” the magistrate said.
The court found Robert Kipkirui Soi, Kaikai Talengo Moses and Willy Wambua guilty of several offences, including neglect of official duty, aiding prisoners to escape and organizing a meeting in support of a terrorist group.
During the trial, prosecutors James Machirah and Kennedy Amwayi called 14 witnesses who testified that the officers facilitated the escape of Musharaf Abdala, Mohamed Ali Abikar and Joseph Juma Odhiambo between November 14 and 15, 2021.
The three inmates were serving sentences for terrorism-related offences at the time of their escape.
The court further established that two of the officers deliberately failed to prevent the prisoners from escaping, while the third officer helped organize meetings among terror convicts inside the prison, enabling coordination of the breakout.
The convicted officers are expected to return to court for sentencing following the guilty verdict.
