By Andrew Kariuki
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has secured the conviction of three men who escaped from Kamiti Maximum Security Prison in 2021, in a case prosecutors argued had serious implications for national security.
The three convicts, Musharaf Abdala, Mohamed Ali Abikar and Joseph Juma Odhiambo, were found guilty by the Kahawa Anti-Terrorism Court after the prosecution successfully proved the charges against them beyond reasonable doubt.
The trio had been charged with committing a terrorist act contrary to Section 4(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, following their dramatic escape from Kamiti Maximum Security Prison in November 2021.
According to evidence presented before the court, the three escaped from lawful custody during the night of November 14 and the morning of November 15, 2021, at the prison facility in Nairobi County.
Prosecutors argued that the escape constituted a terrorist act as it prejudiced national security and undermined lawful efforts to contain individuals facing terrorism-related charges.
The prosecution team, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel James Muchirah, called ten witnesses during the trial. Their testimonies and supporting evidence were relied upon by the court in reaching its verdict.
The court heard that the prosecution had established all the legal elements necessary to sustain the charge and had successfully linked each of the accused persons to the offence.
In his judgment, Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage found the three guilty and entered convictions against them.
The court directed that the matter be mentioned on June 18, 2026, when sentencing proceedings will be conducted.
The conviction marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to prosecute terrorism-related offences and strengthen accountability within the criminal justice system.
The ODPP welcomed the outcome, describing it as a demonstration of its commitment to protecting national security, upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those involved in serious criminal offences are brought to justice.
