DCI seeks to detain officers for 14 days over Gigiri cell break
National
By
Nancy Gitonga
| Aug 21, 2024
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) seeks to detain five police officers for 14 days to complete investigations into their alleged involvement in the escape of 13 remandees from Gigiri Police Station.
The officers are Corporal Ronald Babo, who was the duty NCO, and police constables Evans Kipkurui, who was responsible for cell security, Gerald Mutuku, Mollent Achieng, and Zachary Nyabuto, who were station guards.
In an application filed before Milimani Law Courts, the DCI, represented by Inspector of Police Benedict Kaulu, requested for the officers to be held at different stations within Nairobi for two weeks to complete investigations.
"We seek to have five detained to establish whether they had a hand in the escape of the prisoners who were facing various offences," Kaulu said.
State prosecutor James Gachoka applied to have the officers detained at Spring Valley, Runda, and Parklands Police Stations.
Gachoka informed the court that the escapees included the prime suspect in the alleged murder of 42 women in Kware, Collins Jumaisi and 12 Eritreans.
The prosecutor told the court that DCI detectives are yet to record statements from more than five witnesses.
"The respondent's mobile phones have been presented to the Cyber-crime unit based at DCI Headquarters Forensic lab for further analysis. Gigiri Police Station CCTV footage has been obtained and taken to the Cyber Crime Unit for analysis and a report is not ready," Gachoka told the court.
The prosecution alleged that the accomplices of the officers are still at large and they have expressed willingness to help trace them and the same could be defeated should they be released on bail.
Corporal Mutuku opposed the application saying he is a father and should be released to enable him to pay school fees for his children who be reporting to school next week.
Achieng urged the court to reduce the days in question or grant her bail since her child collapsed when she heard the news of her arrest.
"Your honour l kindly seek to have the days reduced so that l could attend to my 14-year-old daughter who collapsed yesterday after learning about my arrest. l also need to pay for her school fees," she told the court.
Magistrate Martha Nanzushi ordered the five to be remanded pending ruling Thursday at 9 am.