Police have launched a manhunt for eight suspects who staged a dramatic escape from a prison in Wundanyi, Taiva Taveta County.
According to authorities, all eight suspects broke free after scaling and compromising the facility’s roof in the Wundanyi Prison on Sunday, January 26.
The eight suspects have since been identified as Patrick Karisa, Erickson Mwachofi, Samuel Onyango, Alex Makezi, Edward Maighasho, Robert Mchungwa, Mwangemi Mwanyange and Joseph Kalama.
It is, however, unclear how all eight suspects managed to elude guards at the facility during the prison break.
A sign post of Wundanyi Prison.
Photo
Benson Maghanga
The suspects were locked up for an array of crimes ranging from theft, rape defilement, causing bodily harm and burglary.
Civilians with any information leading up to the arrest of the suspects were urged to report to authorities immediately.
Prior to the recent escape, Wundanyi Prison had been on the good books as far as the facility’s reputation is concerned, with the last prison break incident being reported in 2018 when an inmate escaped, only to be caught after three months.
In recent years, the prison has embarked on different programs in a bid to rehabilitate and prepare prisoners for life after incarceration.
This was the latest harrowing case of dangerous inmates escaping custody, and it comes just months after another sensational case in a Nairobi police cell.
On July 15, 2024, 12 undocumented Eritrean migrants escaped police custody alongside Collins Jumaisi Khalusha – a suspected serial killer.
Coincidentally, the suspects also staged their escape by cutting through a wire mesh roof at the station in an escape that authorities believe was aided by insiders.
Their disappearance was uncovered when officers made their routine visit to the cells to serve breakfast, only to find that the inmates were gone. Eight officers have since been arrested in connection with facilitating the escape.
An image of someone scaling a fence.
Photo
Courtesy