Seven inmates escaped while three police officers got injured following a grisly road accident along the Migori-Kisii highway.

The incident that occurred late in the evening, involved a police vehicle and a mini bus at a place that is considered a black spot and it left a total of 14 injured with the police driver fracturing his leg.

Speaking to The Standard, county Police Commandant David Kirui said the police vehicle, which was carrying inmates from Rongo to Migori prisons, had a head on collision with the minibus as it tried to overtake another vehicle.

"The accident occurred at Kokuro when the police driver was trying to overtake another car and ended up colliding head with the minibus. Inmates took advantage of the situation and varnished into the nearby sugarcane plantations," he said.

Mr Kirui said the injured officers and passengers have been admitted at the Migori Level 4 Hospital adding that police have now launched a manhunt for the escaped seven inmates.

The incident also led to a shoot-out between the police and the inmates, who escaped with a gun after assaulting an officer, and Kirui asked residents to be on the look out for these now armed and dangerous fugitives.

Be vigilant

He also asked the public to immediately report any 'suspicious' looking characters.

This incident comes even as police in Nairobi continue to be on the lookout for three hardcore criminals who escaped from Kamiti Maximum prison in May this year.

The three made their dramatic gateaway on the night of May 22 after successfully cutting through a metal grill at their cell. Their action caused an alarm to go off alerting the warders on duty who dashed after them.

Sadly, an innocent civilian was caught up in the ensuing melee.