17 Inmates Escape after Vehicle Ferrying Them to Nairobi Gets Stuck in Traffic

Police have launched hunt for 17 inmates who escaped from a prison truck ferrying them from Thika to Nairobi on Friday morning.

Police said the 17 were part of a group of 19 who jumped off the vehicle after breaking its grills.

The prisoners, who were being ferried to Industrial Area remand prison, escaped after the vehicle got stuck in traffic on Landhies Road, near Kamukunji Mosque in Nairobi at around 11:30 am.

The inmates overpowered the four police officers assigned to oversee the transfer before fleeing in different directions.

They have been identified as Sharif Juma, Peter Macharia, Davis Kimani, Sebastian Kanyotu, Isaac Wainaina, Moses Njoroge, Daniel Njuguna, and Andrew Makau.

Others are Julius Wachira, Robert Maziwa, Joshua Onkundi, Alexander Muriithi, Samuel Chege, Johnson Ndegwa, Samuel Maina, Feonard Omondi and Josiah Mwangi.

Two prisoners named James Kamau and Amos Wanyoike were rearrested at Marikiti area.

Police said Kamau sustained bruises on his right knee while Wanyoike has a bullet wound in his right hand.

The two are currently admitted at Thika Level 5 Hospital and will be charged with escape from lawful custody on Monday.

All the inmates were facing robbery with violence charges.