A preliminary police investigation into the escape of 13 detainees from Gigiri Police Station suggests that the escape was an inside job.
The escape, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, has led to the station being declared a crime scene. The daring breakout occurred despite the station being fully staffed, raising serious questions about the officers' involvement on duty.
The detainees managed to flee by cutting through a wire mesh located 3 to 4 meters above the ground. They then scaled the fence at the back of the station, escaping onto Limuru Road.
The ease and method of the escape have led to suspicions that the detainees received inside help, especially considering the difficulty of breaching the wire mesh and the number of escapees involved.
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Among the fugitives is Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, a key suspect in the Kware murders case, along with 12 Eritrean nationals detained for illegal entry into the country. The fact that all 13 detainees managed to escape undetected raises questions about how they avoided the notice of the officers who were supposed to be guarding them.
Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has indicated that initial findings point to potential complicity by officers stationed at Gigiri. The officers had been adequately deployed, making it improbable for the detainees to escape without assistance.
The timing of the escape is also under scrutiny, as Police Constable Gerald Mutuku discovered the breakout around 5 a.m. during a routine check. Four of the 17 suspects in custody did not escape and are now being questioned by investigators.
Eight officers, including the Gigiri OCPD and OCS, are under investigation, with four currently in custody as inquiries continue.
