Thika Deputy OCPD Bernard Oyoo has spoken on Saturday's incident that saw inmates jump from a prison lorry that was ferrying them to the Industrial Area Prison.
They managed to jump after creating an opening in the front part of the lorry.
Speaking to the media, Mr Oyoo said that two of the inmates had been re-arrested after being shot at while others remain at large.
Those who escaped are said to be hard-core criminals.
"They pushed part of the lorry, the body of the lorry from the front, then some jumped out of the lorry around 19 who escaped. But the officers did their best and they rearrested two.
"One had a gunshot on the arm, and the other one was injured on the knee," the Thika deputy OCPD said.
Oyoo said a manhunt by the police was ongoing, and called on members of the public who come across the criminals to volunteer information with the police so that they can be rearrested.
The two inmates who sustained gunshot wounds are currently undergoing treatment at a Thika hospital under tight security.