Five remandees flee while on way to court

Kenya: A manhunt has been launched for five hardcore remandees who escaped while being ferried to Kabarnet Law Courts.

Witnesses said the group from Eldoret GK Prison, jumped off the truck they were travelling in along the Kabarnet-Eldoret Road yesterday.

The remandees allegedly attacked two armed warders as the vehicle slowed down on a stretch of the road before they fled into the nearby bushes.

A contingent of prison warders, Kenya Wildlife and Administration Police (AP) officers have launched a manhunt for the five.

Kabarnet GK Prison officer-in-charge Joseph Mwalo, said the remandees are dangerous criminals who had been ferried for the hearing of their cases, which included robbery with violence, defilement and assault.

He said the criminals fled with handcuffs but denied claims that they escaped with a firearm.

Efforts to reach the county Police commandant Hassan Barua to comment on the matter proved futile as his phone was switched off.