Court Rules 12 Prison Officers Have a Case to Answer in 2021 Escape of Terror Suspects

The case involving 12 prison wardens believed to be involved in the sensational escape of three inmates serving time for terror-related activities in 2021 has taken a new twist.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) released a statement on Tuesday, November 26, revealing the Principal Prosecution Counsels had established a prima facie case against the officers, which essentially means the prison wardens have a case to answer.

In 2021, the wardens gained nationwide attention after then-Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiangi accused them of laxity and incompetency for their role in the escape.

At the time, Matiangi fingered seven prison officials at the Kamiti Maximum Prison but added that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had moved in to investigate the prison break and more arrests would be made.

Investigations have now implicated five additional prison officials, with their case being presented in a Kahawa Court on Tuesday. 

One of the biggest mysteries surrounding the escape orchestrated by the three suspects is how they were able to navigate one of the country’s most secure maximum-security prison facilities so seamlessly. 

Following their escape, the government offered a Ksh60 million bounty for their capture, and the terrorist suspects were apprehended a few days later. Currently, they are serving sentences of 42, 22, and 15 years, respectively.

One of the suspects has been linked to the terrorist group Al-Shabaab and was involved in the Garissa University attack in April 2015, which resulted in the passing of 148 people. Another suspect was arrested and charged in 2019 for attempting to join a terrorist organisation.

In addition, one of the prison officers implicated in the escape from three years ago is accused of facilitating the movement of the prisoners to different cells, which contributed to their escape.

“One of the officers was equally found to have a case to answer for the offence of convening a meeting in support of a terrorist group when he allegedly facilitated the movement of terrorist convicts from cell number 2 to cell number 6 prior to the prison break,” a statement from ODPP read.

The case will be mentioned again on January 13, 2025.