Court frees 5 police officers linked to escape of Kware murder suspect

Five police officers linked to the escape of murder suspect Collins Jumaisi released on personal bonds. [Nancy Gitonga, Standard]

A Milimani court has released five Gigiri Police officers who are under investigation for allegedly aiding the escape of murder suspect Collins Jumaisi.

The officers, Corporal Ronald Babo and Police Constables Evans Kipkurui, Gerald Mutuku, Mollent Achieng, and Zachary Nyabuto, were granted personal bonds of Sh 200,000 each by Magistrate Martha Nanzushi.

The DCI and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had requested that the officers be held for an additional 14 days to allow for the completion of the ongoing investigation.

 However, Magistrate Nanzushi declined this request, stating that the state had not presented sufficient evidence to justify further detention. She emphasized that the reasons provided by the prosecution were not compelling enough to warrant keeping the officers in custody while the investigation continued.

Despite the release, the court imposed strict conditions on the officers, requiring them to report to the investigating officer once a week. The court directive was to ensure their cooperation with the ongoing investigation into the escape of Jumaisi and 12 Eritrean nationals from a police cell on Monday.

Jumaisi, a suspect in multiple murder cases, along with the 12 Eritreans, mysteriously escaped from the Gigiri police station, raising serious concerns about security lapses and possible collusion within the station.

 Corporal Babo, who was the Duty NCO at the time, and Constable Kipkurui, responsible for cell security, were among those directly implicated in the incident. The other officers, Mutuku, Achieng, and Nyabuto, served as station guards during the time of the escape.

The escape of Jumaisi, a known serial killer, has sent shockwaves through the country, prompting the DCI to offer a reward for any information that could lead to his re-arrest. 

Magistrate Nanzushi, in her ruling, noted that while the investigation into the escape is ongoing, the state had failed to provide compelling reasons to keep the officers in custody without charge.

She further indicated that the conditions set for the officers' release were stringent enough to ensure they would not interfere with the investigation.