Three Kamiti prisons wardens convicted over terror convicts’ escape

The prosecution secured convictions against three wardens attached to GK Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, after a Nairobi court found them culpable for aiding the escape of convicted terrorists.

In a judgment delivered at the Kahawa Law Courts, Senior Principal Magistrate Boaz Ombewa sentenced Robert Kipkurui Soi to a fine of Sh100,000, in default six months’ imprisonment, while Kaikai Talengo Moses received a similar sentence.

A third accused, Willy Wambua, was fined Sh200,000, or in default one year’s imprisonment.
On a separate count of organizing a meeting in support of a terrorist group, Wambua was further fined Sh800,000, in default to serve two years’ imprisonment.

The three were convicted on multiple counts, including neglect of official duty, aiding prisoners to escape, and organising a meeting in support of a terrorist group, offences which the court held posed a grave threat to national security.

The prosecution demonstrated that on the night of November 14, 2021 and the morning of 15th November 2021, the convicts deliberately facilitated the escape of terror inmates Musharaf Abdala, who used multiple aliases, alongside Mohamed Ali Abikar and Joseph Juma Odhiambo, all of whom were serving sentences for terrorism-related offences.

The court accepted the prosecution’s case that Soi and Talengo wilfully neglected their official duties, creating conditions that enabled the escape.

Wambua, the court found, went further by directly and indirectly aiding the escape and unlawfully organizing a meeting between convicted terror inmates at the Condemned Block “A” by facilitating unauthorized inmate movement, contrary to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.

In convicting the three, the court agreed with Prosecution that the escape was well-planned and could not have occurred without insider assistance, concluding that the DPP had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The convictions mark a significant milestone in the DPP’s efforts to uphold accountability, reinforce institutional integrity, and ensure that acts undermining national security are decisively prosecuted.