Drama unfolded at the Nakuru Law Courts on Thursday, October 23, after four remandees facing robbery with violence charges made a daring attempt to escape from custody.
The commotion began shortly after the suspects, who are also linked to the murder of a police officer, were escorted into the courtroom for the day’s proceedings.
Witnesses said the group suddenly broke free from the dock area and bolted toward the court’s main exit in a coordinated bid for freedom.
Security officers stationed within the court compound reacted swiftly, firing warning shots into the air to stop the escape.
The shots sent panic through the courtroom, forcing magistrates, lawyers, and members of the public to take cover as police regained control of the situation.
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Members of the public who were within the court premises joined in the chase, helping officers to quickly corner and recapture the fugitives.
Court activities were temporarily suspended as police restored order and tightened security around the holding areas.
The four suspects were later restrained and returned to custody under heavy guard.
This comes weeks after former Kirimari Ward MCA aspirant Swaleh Oswado was shot dead after attempting to escape from police custody.
The incident happened on Tuesday, August 5, in the Gatondo area in Embu County while detainees were being transported from Siakago Law Courts.
Embu West Sub-county Police Commander Vincent Kitili, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect threw pepper and jumped out of the prison van.
"Before he jumped out of the van, the suspect threw pepper at police officers, causing temporary blindness and confusion," he explained.
Kitili noted that one police officer pursued the suspect while the others took the remaining detainees to prison.
He added that the suspect even wanted to attack the officer who pursued him with a panga before he was gunned down.
"The suspect ran into a house that was under construction. The officer didn’t give up and followed him inside. The suspect picked up a machete as he saw the officer approaching. The officer warned him not to come closer, but the suspect found an opening in the building and jumped over the wall, trying to escape.
"The officer also attempted to jump over the wall in pursuit, but the suspect was determined to attack him. That’s when the officer defended himself and shot him," he added.
Kitili noted that Oswado was a high-risk detainee facing murder charges.
