By Edwin Cheserek
Eldoret, Kenya: Two robbery with violence suspects made a mysterious escape from the Eldoret Law court’s holding cells on Tuesday, raising questions about the presumably tightly secured cells.
The suspects, who are still at large, were brought to court on Tuesday morning from the Eldoret G.K prison for hearing of their cases.
It however remains unclear how the hardcore criminals fled to freedom despite heavy police presence at the courts even as investigations and a manhunt was launched over the prison break.
“We do not know how they escaped undetected but we understand that the two suspects had appeared before a magistrate in court one then fled,’’ said of the court assistants.
He said it is difficult for a suspect to escape within the precincts of the court because of heavy security surveillance in addition to keen court orders and members of the public.
A police officer who cannot be named because he is not authorized to comment on the matter said the suspects escaped between 3pm and 4pm on Tuesday afternoon.
He said security officers tasked with manning suspects were shocked over the mysterious disappearance of the suspects, hours after they appeared in court.
“We are yet to come to terms of how the criminals stage the dramatic escape despite the presence of heavy security personnel within the precincts of the court,” added the officer.
Sources said the suspects used a sharp metal tool to cut the heavy duty door hinges that provide exterior support and escaped unnoticed from the cells.
"They could have taken advantage of a lapse in close security monitoring of the suspects," said our source.
The cells are normally located behind a courtroom and police officer is assigned to man the suspects inside the room in addition to escorting them when required to face charges.
Eldoret West OCPD Ndung’u Wa Ikonya identified the hardcore suspects as Christopher Kibet Ng’elechei alias Pastor, 37, and 29 -year-old Titus Njoroge.
“The suspects escaped through a broken lower door hinge and used court two that was not in session at the time through a corridor into a waiting taxi whose number plate is yet to be established,’’ he said.
He disclosed that the sequence of events were captured by a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) adding that police would develop the images into better pictures to be used as evidence.
Ng’elechei is charged with theft of motor vehicle, making fake documents and in possession of a firearm while Njoroge faces four counts of robbery with violence.
“We believe the suspects are dangerous criminals whom we suspect are armed and we are urging members of the public to volunteer information to the police regarding them,” appealed Ikonya.
