12 wardens linked to 2021 Kamiti prison break to stand trial for aiding terrorists
By Lucy Mumbi |
The incident occurred on November 14, 2021, when convicted terrorists Musharraf Abdalla, Mohamed Ali Abikar, and Joseph Juma, who were serving sentences of 42, 22, and 15 years, respectively, broke out of GK Kamiti Maximum Prison.
Twelve senior prison wardens at Kamiti Maximum Prison have a case to answer regarding the escape of three terrorism inmates from the facility in 2021. The officers are accused of neglecting official duties and aiding the prisoners' escape.
The incident occurred on November 14, 2021, when convicted terrorists Musharraf Abdalla, Mohamed Ali Abikar, and Joseph Juma, who were serving sentences of 42, 22, and 15 years, respectively, broke out of GK Kamiti Maximum Prison.
The court at Kahawa ruled that the prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsels James Machirah, Ken Amwayi, Harrison Kiarie, and Gideon Kiprono, had established a prima facie case against the wardens.
One of the officers also faces allegations of facilitating a meeting in support of a terrorist group by reportedly arranging the transfer of the inmates from Cell 2 to Cell 6 before the escape.
The case is scheduled for mention on January 13, 2025, to determine defence hearing dates and further directions.
The trio, who had escaped from the country’s most secure prison, were arrested in a remote village in Kitui County on November 18, 2021, after a tense manhunt. A Sh60 million bounty had been placed on their heads for information leading to their capture.
The trio, who had escaped from the country’s most secure prison, were arrested in a remote village in Kitui County on November 18, 2021, after a tense manhunt.
Musharaf, one of the escapees, had been arrested on September 30, 2012, for his involvement in a foiled terror attack targeting Parliament Buildings. He was charged with possession of explosives, ammunition, and firearms.
Mohamed, a militant involved in the 2015 Garissa University attack, was serving a 41-year sentence for his role in the massacre. He was convicted alongside Hassan Edin Hassan and Tanzanian national Rashid Charles Mberesero, who committed suicide inside Kamiti in November 2023.
The convicts, who had been on the run, were located in Malalani market in Endau, around 100 kilometres east of Kitui town. Local shopkeepers alerted authorities after spotting the fugitives purchasing milk, bottled water, bread, and biscuits.
Fearing the terrorists were armed and determined to claim the Sh60 million bounty, they reported the sighting to the police.
Kitui County Police Commander Leah Kithei said the suspects were arrested in the Mwingemi area as they attempted to reach the Mwingi-Garissa highway. They had been hiding during the day and only moved under the cover of darkness to avoid detection.
Security sources revealed that following the residents' tip-off, a large-scale operation was launched. Security forces, including officers from the anti-terror police unit and anti-stock theft unit, surrounded the entire county to prevent the suspects from escaping into neighbouring areas or across the border into Somalia.
On November 29, 2021, the Kahawa Law Courts heard that the three escaped through a drill hole in cell number six which was made with the aid of a metal bar and nails. They used a piece of mattress to cover the hole.
They also made a makeshift contraption by cutting the blanket into pieces using a razor blade, tying it together and using it to climb the wall.
The prosecution provided a chisel, two razor blades, and two nails as part of the evidence of what they used to make their way out of the prison.
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