DPP Secures Conviction of Prison Officers Involved in Kamiti Prison Break

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured the conviction of officers implicated in the 2021 escape of terrorist inmates from Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.

Delivering judgment at Kahawa Law Court, Senior Principal Magistrate Boaz Ombewa noted that the escape was carefully planned and executed over an extended period, demonstrating deliberate facilitation rather than a spontaneous breakout.

Court findings established that the officers neglected their official duties, allowing inmates serving sentences for terrorism-related offences to escape.

Evidence presented by the prosecution showed that the escape involved organised movements within the prison, which the officers either permitted or directly assisted, enabling the planning and coordination of the breakout.

Part of this facilitation included organising a meeting among several inmates at a specific cell within the Condemned Block. The officers allowed the movement of an inmate from another cell to the meeting location, effectively enabling coordination prior to the escape.

“Prison officers directly and/or indirectly wilfully aided the escape of inmates serving sentences for terrorism-related offences and organized a meeting between several of the convicted inmates at Condemned Block ‘A,’ Cell No. 6,” the DPP stated.

The actions of the officers were found to be inviolation of the Prevention of TerrorismAct, 2012, with the court determining that their failure to prevent the escape constituted aiding prisoners and neglecting official responsibilities.

Prosecution called fourteen witnesses to support the charges, demonstrating a clear chain of deliberate actions by the officers. The case is scheduled for sentencing on January 20, 2026.

Several systemic issues were highlighted as contributing factors to the escape. Corruption and financial gain were noted, with some warders reportedly accepting bribes due to low pay.

Additionally, inadequate anti-terrorism training and poor working conditions, such as insufficient allowances for escorting high-risk inmates, were cited as enabling circumstances.

The escaped inmates were recaptured four days later in Kitui County while attempting to flee to Somalia.

Under Kenyan law, officers who aid escapes face significant consequences under the Penal Code (Cap 63), which provides up to seven years for aiding escape and misdemeanour charges for neglect of duty.

The Prevention ofTerrorism Act allows for upto 20 years for abetting terrorism or obstructing justice. Besides conviction, officers may also face dismissal or imprisonment under the Prisons Act (Cap 90).