In a major victory for justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured the conviction of three Kamiti Maximum Security Prison officers for their role in the shocking 2021 escape of three convicted terrorists.
Senior Principal Magistrate Boaz Ombewa, delivering the landmark ruling at Kahawa Law Courts, described the breakout as a meticulously planned operation that could only have succeeded with insider help. “This escape was clearly well-orchestrated and required significant time and coordination,” he stated.
Robert Kipkirui Soi, Kaikai Talengo Moses, and Willy Wambua were found guilty on multiple charges, including neglect of official duty, aiding prisoner escape, and organizing a meeting in support of a terrorist group.
Prosecution counsels James Machirah and Kennedy Amwayi presented compelling evidence from 14 witnesses, proving beyond reasonable doubt that the officers facilitated the night-time jailbreak of Musharaf Abdala (alias Alex Shikanda), Mohamed Ali Abikar, and Joseph Juma Odhiambo on November 14-15, 2021.
The three escapees — all serving lengthy sentences for terrorism-related offences, including links to the deadly Garissa University attack — were recaptured days later in Kitui County.
The court ruled that Soi and Talengo wilfully neglected to prevent the escape of the convicted terrorists from the high-security facility in Kasarani, Nairobi. Wambua faced additional conviction for directly aiding the breakout and illegally facilitating a meeting among four terror inmates in Condemned Block “A,” Cell No. 6 — an act that violated the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.
The brazen breach exposed serious vulnerabilities in Kenya’s maximum-security system and sparked nationwide outrage in 2021.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20, 2026, where the convicted wardens face severe penalties, including potential lengthy prison terms.
This conviction sends a strong message: no one is above the law in the fight against terrorism. #HakiNaUsawa
