Kware murders: Five police officers released on bond after Gigiri cell escape
Five police officers from Gigiri police station at the Milimani Law Courts on August 21, 2024. They were on night duty when 13 suspects, including the main person of interest in the Kware murders, escaped.
Five police officers arrested over the escape of 13 suspects, including the key suspect in the Kware murders of 42 women Collins Jumaisi, have released from remand.
Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Martha Nanzushi on Thursday, August 22, declined a request by the Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga to detain the suspects for a further 14 days to allow detectives to wrap up investigations.
She said the application made through State prosecutors James Gachoka and Herbert Sonye lacked compelling reasons to lock up Corporal Ronald Babo, Constable Evan Kipkirui, Constable Millicent Achieng, Constable Zachary Nyabuto and Constable Gerald Mutuku.
Read: Gigiri jailbreak: Detectives probe call records, money transactions of detained police officers
"I decline the application and proceed to release the respondents on bond of Sh200000,' ruled the magistrate, as directed the five to be reporting to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations twice a week until investigations are completed.
Ms Nanzushi further warned the suspects against interfering with the investigations.
The police and State prosecutors had applied to have the officers detained at Spring Valley, Runda and Parklands police stations as the probe continues.
On the fateful Tuesday, August 20, Corporal Babo was the duty officer, Constable Kipkirui was the cell sentry while Constable Mutuku was the report office personnel. Constables Achieng and Nyabuto were the station guards.
The officer investigating the matter Benedict Kaulu on Thursday told the court that they were yet to record statements from over five witnesses.
The suspects’ mobile phones have since been presented to cybercrime unit based at DCI headquarters forensic lab for further analysis.
"CCTV footage has also been obtained and taken to the cybercrime unit for analysis," he said.
The investigator told the court that there were other accomplices who are still at large.
"The officers have indicated their willingness to lead to their arrest which will be defeated should they be released at the moment," said Kaulu.
Constable Achieng had opposed the application, saying her child collapsed when she heard of the news of her arrest and detention.
She sought to have the days reduced so that she could attend to the minor.
Corporal Babo had also applied to be released from cell to prepare his school-going children for the opening on August 26.
