DCI launches manhunt for six juveniles who escaped lawful custody
A multi-agency team has launched a manhunt for six juveniles who escaped from custody on September 11, 2023.
A police report seen by this reporter, indicates the six allegedly escaped from police custody in Malindi, Kilifi County at midnight and are yet to be found.
The suspects include a minor who was charged with stock theft from Vitengeni Police Station.
The other was charged with threatening a breach of peace from Malindi Police Station and the third was charged with grievous harm from Malindi Police Station.
The fourth one was facing a case of robbery with violence from Malindi Police Station while the other two were charged with stealing from Kijipwa Police Station and the other was charged with burglary from Kilifi Police Station.
“The six had been brought from different stations within Kilifi County and were remanded pending the hearing of the cases at the Malindi Magistrate Court,” the statement read in part.
Ongoing investigations now reveal that police officers from the station visited the scene and established the juveniles broke the ceiling and roof from inside a dormitory.
They later jumped through the fence and went into hiding.
According to Kenyan law, any person who is in lawful custody and escapes is guilty of a misdemeanor.
“No appeal shall be allowed in the case of an accused person who has pleaded guilty and has been convicted on that plea by a subordinate court except as to the extent or legality of the sentence,” the Kenya Law states.
The general punishment imposed on conviction for a misdemeanor, including defamation, is a maximum of two years in prison and/or a fine.
Such cases have been on the increase across the country in the recent past where those in remand usually flee.
In May 2023, sleuths attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched a manhunt for two suspects of robbery with violence who escaped from prison.
The duo was nabbed and put in custody at the Kakamega Police Station.
The escapees were identified as Denis Indeche, 26, and Allan Kemoli, 29, who fled from the station’s cells under unclear circumstances on Thursday morning, as reported by the duty officer.
In July, nine suspects escaped from Isiolo Police Station.
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