Security measures at the Kitale Law Courts have been significantly enhanced following an incident in which a suspect, facing charges of murder and armed robbery, successfully escaped from the court premises.
The individual, identified as Ruben Garakacha, was appearing in court for a mention of his case when he misled a prison guard by requesting to use the restroom.
Seizing the moment, Garakacha slipped through a gap in the courtroom and made a dash for the Kitale Conservancy Forest. A nearby witness, who was working the land, recounted seeing the suspect sprint past him into the forest, with prison officers hot on his heels.
“I saw him running incredibly fast towards the forest, and soon after, the prison officers followed,” he stated.
Prison officials are currently in pursuit of the suspect, and security protocols have been enhanced at the Kitale Law Courts to avert any similar occurrences in the future.
Last month, police apprehended Garakacha after he was found with a cell phone that belonged to a deceased boda boda rider, whose motorcycle had been stolen.
During their investigation, authorities also uncovered the body of a woman buried at Garakacha’s home. Police have confirmed that he is facing multiple charges of armed robbery as well.
