NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 18- The mystery behind the circumstances that led to the escaping of three terror convicts from the country’s most guarded prison facility deepened on Wednesday, after they were nabbed more than 190 kilometres from Kamiti in Kiambu County.
While detectives and a section of Kenyans celebrated the arrest, questions started arising on how they moved from Kiambu to Kitui County, probably using the main roads, without detection.
Preliminary investigation on how they escaped from Kamiti has already pointed towards ‘laxity and incompetence on the side of prison authorities.
But the big question now is, who facilitated their escape, if any, and how did they travel all that long, and with what means?
The terror convicts, termed by detectives as ‘extremely dangerous’ were on their way to Somalia, when a civilian tipped off detectives over their presence- near the Ukasi area in Kitui County.
“The scope of our investigations has just broadened. Those involved will be brought to book,” a senior detective privy to the ongoing investigations said.
He requested not to be mentioned.
Who are the terror convicts, that earned former prisons Commissioner-General Wycliffe Ogallo a sack, in what many say, is a disgraced way to end a career.
Wycliffe Ogallo hands over power to Brigadier (Rtd) John Kibaso Warioba who is the new Commissioner General Prisons. Photo/Courtesy.
You see, Ogallo handed over his office to the new prison boss Brigadier (Rtd) John Kibaso Warioba and got escorted out of his office by Anti-Terror Police Unit detectives, all armed to the teeth.
Instead of being taken home, he was first taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations but was later released unconditionally. All this time he was being sandwiched between two ATPU detectives.
That was the end of him serving as a prison boss.
Already, 7 wardens from Kamiti have since been arrested and charged in court, while on Wednesday, Commandant of Kamiti Prison Charles Mutembei and his deputy were arrested and grilled at the DCI Headquarters.
Who are the terror convicts and why did they pose a major security threat?
Prison authorities over the weekend identified the convicts as Mohammed Ali Abikar, Joseph Juma Odhiambo, and Musharaf Abdallah Washiali aka Shukri aka Alex Shikanda.
Shukri is said to have been arrested on September 30, 2021, “over his participation in a failed attempt to conduct a terrorist attack targeting parliament buildings.”
He was charged with possession of explosives, ammunition, and firearms. Detectives said he hails from Ekero area in Kakamega.
Abikar, detectives said was arrested following his involvement with the Garissa University attack on April 2, 2015.
Some 148 people, mostly innocent students who were in their rooms sleeping, were killed during the attack.
Yusuf, who also hails from Kakamega, was arrested on November 21, 2019, while in Bulla Hawa, Somalia.
Detectives said he was attempting to “enlist with the Al-Shabaab terror group.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta has since directed the investigating agencies to ensure all those who were involved are brought to book.
“In keeping with our ethos of good governance, in the intervening period and pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigations, the State Department of Correctional Services has similarly been directed to sanction disciplinary action against all Kenya Prisons Service personnel who were on duty when the security breaches occurred; which action shall include redeployment and/or immediate suspension of all affected officers,” the President said.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiangi and the new prison boss were on Thursday afternoon scheduled to visit the prison facility.
Drastic changes are expected within the leadership of one of the country’s critical agencies, within the criminal justice system.
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