The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured convictions against three wardens from Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, following a court ruling that found them culpable in facilitating the escape of convicted terrorists, in a case highlighting the State’s zero-tolerance approach to insider collusion in national security institutions.
In a judgement delivered at Kahawa Law Courts, Senior Principal Magistrate B.O. sentenced Robert Kipkurui Soi and Kaikai Talengo Moses to fines of Sh100,000 each, or six months’ imprisonment in default.
A third accused, Willy Wambua, received a fine of Sh200,000, or one year in default, and an additional Sh800,000 fine, or two years’ imprisonment, for organising a meeting in support of a terrorist group.
The three wardens were convicted on multiple counts, including neglect of official duty, aiding prisoners to escape, and facilitating gatherings in support of a terrorist organisation, offences that the court described as posing a “grave threat to national security.”
Prosecution evidence detailed that on the night of November 14, 2021, and the following morning, the convicts deliberately assisted the escape of terror inmates Musharaf Abdala, who was using multiple aliases, alongside Mohamed Ali Abikar and Joseph Juma Odhiambo, all serving sentences for terrorism-related offences.
The court found that Soi and Talengo “wilfully neglected their official duties, creating conditions that enabled the escape,” while Wambua went further by directly and indirectly facilitating the escape and unlawfully organising a meeting between terror convicts in Condemned Block “A.”
This included authorising unauthorised inmate movements, contrary to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.
In delivering the ruling, the magistrate agreed with the prosecution that the escape was meticulously planned and could not have succeeded without insider involvement.
“The DPP has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,” the court noted.
The DPP hailed the convictions as a major achievement in reinforcing accountability and institutional integrity within critical State agencies.
“These convictions send a clear message that acts undermining national security will be met with decisive legal action,” a DPP spokesperson said.
Observers note that the case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Kenya’s security institutions in safeguarding high-risk prisoners, particularly those convicted of terrorism, and signals strengthened oversight and prosecution measures against internal complicity.
The ruling is seen as a landmark in Kenya’s fight against terrorism and insider corruption, reinforcing the State’s commitment to ensuring that all personnel entrusted with public security are held accountable for breaches that threaten national stability.
