5 police officers linked to escape of Kware murder suspect, 12 others freed on Sh200,000 bond

Five police officers arrested in connection to an incident where suspected serial killer Collins Jumaisi escaped from custody at Gigiri police station have been released on a personal bond of Sh200,000.

They were released by Principal Magistrate Martha Nanzushi of Milimani Law Courts who directed them to appear before investigators twice a week during the investigations.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had sought orders to detain the five police officers for 14 days pending investigations into the incident where 12 Eritreans detained for being unlawfully present in Kenya also escaped.

The officers are Corporal Ronald Babo and Police Constables Evans Kipkurui, Gerald Mutuku, Mollent Achieng, and Zachary Nyabuto.

Magistrate Nanzushi declined the request by DCI, stating that the state had not presented sufficient evidence to justify further detention.

"Not compelling enough"

She emphasised that the reasons provided by the DCI and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions were not compelling enough to warrant keeping the officers in custody while the investigations continued.

The court directive was to ensure their cooperation with the ongoing investigation into the escape of Jumaisi and 12 Eritrean nationals from a police cell on Monday.

Jumaisi, a suspect in multiple murder cases, along with the 12 Eritreans, mysteriously escaped from the Gigiri police station, raising serious concerns about security lapses and possible collusion within the station.

The escape of Jumaisi, a suspected serial killer, has sent shockwaves through the country, prompting the DCI to offer a reward for any information that could lead to his re-arrest.

Nanzushi, in her ruling, noted that while the investigation into the escape is ongoing, the state had failed to provide compelling reasons to keep the officers in custody without charge.

She further indicated that the conditions set for the officers' release were stringent enough to ensure they would not interfere with the investigation.