Eight robbery with violence suspects escaped from Thika Police Station in Kiambu County on Wednesday, May 11 night. The police have since launched a manhunt for to find them.
The eight suspects currently on the loose were among nine remandees who were locked up in a cell when they deceived the cell guard on duty before storming out of the station at around 10pm.
The suspects namely; Livingstone Njau, Allan Mugai, Francis Matheri, Charles Mitaru, John Murege, Arthur Kayemba, Eric Ngigi and Bunton Mbugua were held in the facility awaiting court appearance.
According to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), on Thursday, May 12, one of the remandees faked a bowel infection and needed an urgent visit to the lavatory. The other cell mates begged the guard to allow them accompany their “sick colleague” before he soiled the entire cell.
However, unaware of their plan, the officer opened the door and the suspects immediately attacked him with blows and kicks, afterwhich they forcibly took away keys to the main door leading to the cells.
Furthermore, the ninth prisoner, identified as Joseph Nyaguthii, was found approximately 500 metres from the station and rearrested by traffic standby personnel. However,the eight robbery-with-violence suspects dissapeared under the cover of darkness.
Meanwhile, the guard who was duped and attacked by these suspects is in custody at the same police station, assisting detectives with investigations into the escape which is suspected to be an inside job.