Police in Malindi have launched manhunt for two prisoners who escaped from Malindi GK Prison under unclear circumstances.
Confirming the incident, Coast Regional Commander and Deputy Commissioner in charge of prisons Joseph Mutevesi said Jacob Tembo Deche from Kaloleni and Karisa Kahindi Katana from Kilifi who were serving a jail term of between 15 and 10 years respectively escaped under unclear circumstances from the prison.
The prisoners later allegedly sent an sms to the media, through a journalist, saying they had escaped due to harassment from some prison wardens and tough conditions in the prison.
The wardens reportedly turned brutal on them once they found out damaging information about them had reached the media.
“Juzi kuna wenzetu waligoma wakenda kuwatoa nguo uchi wa mnyama wakawapiga sana baada ya kujua kua waliambia wanahabari,” (few days ago our colleagues went on strike, they (wardens) went and undressed them and they were beaten after they (wardens) discovered that information had already leaked to the media)" the sms seen by a local daily read.
Addressing the press in his office on Monday, Mutevesi said his officers have commenced investigations to establish if one of the prison warden may have colluded with the prisoners and allowed them to escape.
He asked relatives of the escaped prisoners and members of the public to alert relevant authorities in case they meet either of the prisoners saying they could be a threat to the country's security.
"As we carry out our investigations, we want to call upon the public coming across this information to assist us with any information of the whereabouts of these two prisoners, they are a threat to the community,” he said.
The Deputy Commissioner in charge of prisons further said the two will be charged afresh if arrested.