A Nairobi court has convicted three prison wardens attached to GK Kamiti Maximum Security Prison for their role in the escape of convicted terrorism inmates in November 2021.
In a judgment delivered at the Kahawa Law Courts, Senior Principal Magistrate Boaz Ombewa found Robert Kipkurui Soi, Kaikai Talengo Moses and Willy Wambua guilty of various offences linked to the escape of the inmates from the high-security facility.
Soi and Talengo were each fined Ksh100,000, with a default sentence of six months’ imprisonment. Wambua was fined Ksh200,000, or face one year in prison if he fails to pay.
On an additional charge of organising a meeting in support of a terrorist group, Wambua was fined a further Ksh800,000, with a default sentence of two years’ imprisonment.
The three were convicted on charges including neglect of official duty, aiding prisoners to escape, and organising a meeting in support of a terrorist group.
The court heard that on the night of November 14, 2021 and the morning of November 15, 2021, the wardens facilitated the escape of Musharaf Abdala, who used several aliases, together with Mohamed Ali Abikar and Joseph Juma Odhiambo.
All three escapees were serving sentences for terrorism-related offences at the time.
In its findings, the court held that Soi and Talengo deliberately failed to carry out their duties, creating an environment that allowed the prisoners to escape.
Wambua was found to have played a more direct role by assisting the escape and organising an unauthorised meeting between terror convicts at Condemned Block “A,” including facilitating the movement of inmates without approval, contrary to the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The magistrate observed that the escape was carefully planned and could not have occurred without assistance from within the prison, concluding that the evidence presented met the required legal threshold.
The case will now proceed to sentencing on the remaining aspects as directed by the court.
By Andrew Kariuki and Anthony Solly
