The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is on high alert after a suspect escaped while being transferred from his cell at the Industrial Area police station to the Nairobi Remand and Allocation Maximum Prison.
In a statement by DCI on Sunday, July 31, Erickson Khata escaped after he tricked an officer into allowing him to take a bath in private hours before appearing in court.
The police granted his wish but became suspicious when Khata took longer than usual to have the 5.00 a.m bath.
"The officer became suspicious when the pitter-patter of splashing water suddenly stopped, followed by dead silence. When he went to check, he found the prisoner’s clothes but the remandee was nowhere to be seen," a statement from the DCI read in part.
Khata had escaped, climbing over the perimeter wall in his inner wear. The police officer raised an alarm and his colleagues joined him in looking for the 19-year-old.
The investigating agency established that the suspect took off in a bid to evade justice after postponing his sentencing.
Khata had been arraigned at the Makadara Law courts where he was to answer to sexual offence charges.
However, he protested any further hearing claiming he was below the adult age of 18.
"He complained that he was a minor and taken back to court, which assessed his age. The suspect was escorted to Mbagathi Hospital where the relevant tests were conducted and his apparent age ascertained to be 19 years," the statement added.
A multi-agency team has since been deployed to track down and re-arrest the suspect. The DCI has also called upon the public to come forward with any information on any sightings of the remandee.
If found guilty, the suspect would have been sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in jail or to life imprisonment depending on the age of his victim.
Had the hospital tests proven that he indeed was a minor, then he would have been sentenced in accordance with the provisions of the Borstal Institutions Act and the Children’s Act.
