A murder suspect escaped from court after overpowering a guard at the latrine before breaking away and fleeing.
The breakaway took place at the Kitale Law Courts where it is alleged the suspect overpowered a guard who had accompanied him to the latrine before vanishing to the nearby Chalala slums.
The suspect, identified as Reuben Karakacha, had been taken to courts to hear a mention of his murder case on Monday.
Police statements indicated that Karakacha seized the moment, pounced on the guard, and made his way out of the latrine.
Following the escape, the police launched a full-blown manhunt to trail the suspect and take him back to prison as he posed a threat to the members of the public.
The escape raises many unanswered questions about the security of suspects especially in the precincts of courts. On June 13, Makadara Law Courts Magistrate Monica Kivuti was shot by a police officer as she presided over a court session. She later died several days later.
It comes as Collins Jumaisi, the serial killer behind the Kware murders who confessed to killing 42 women, escaped from Gigiri Police Station on August 20 under confusing circumstances.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Monday appealed to members of the public to avail any information that may lead to the arrest of the serial killer.
The directorate announced a cash reward for credible information leading to Jumaisi's arrest to anyone who will bring information that may help in the suspect’s arrest.
Collins made his audacious escape alongside 12 Eritreans. Initial reports after the escape indicated that the 13 cut through a wire mesh before scaling a perimeter wall to their freedom barely a month after Jumaisi’s arrest on the morning of Tuesday, August 20.
The police have now asked residents to exercise vigilance and report any person who looks suspicious to the nearest police station.
It comes as the Judiciary has stepped up measures to protect judges and magistrates as they go about their business of hearing cases in courts.
