Mystery as handcuffed prisoner escapes from Kibera Law Courts

Police are investigating a puzzling security breach after a convicted inmate, now identified as Alex Kibisu, vanished from Kibera Law Courts shortly before a sentencing hearing.

Pressure on just how a prisoner in handcuffs would bypass all security officers and cross over a perimeter wall and vanish continues to mount.

The escape, which occurred around midday, has left prison and court officials scrambling for answers.

The inmate dramatically fled the court’s holding cells by leaping over the rear perimeter wall while still in handcuffs.

Kibisu, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence at Kamiti Prison for violent robbery charges, was in court facing an additional charge relating to a 2023 armed robbery in Lang’ata, where he allegedly shot and injured a victim, Duncan Shiemi, during a mugging incident.

The rear wall behind the court’s cells—ordinarily monitored and secure—is believed to be the exact location where Kibisu made his bold escape. Locals claim it leads directly into the maze-like structures of the Kibera slums, making pursuit difficult.

Police units from prison have reportedly pitched camp in the informal settlements of Kibera, attempting to track Kibisu’s suspected escape route.

Investigators believe the fugitive may have used a passage through the densely populated slum area to disappear without detection.

As of the time of publication of this story, Kibisu remains at large, and no official comment has been made by the Prisons Administration.

Law enforcement agencies have intensified the search as public scrutiny builds over possible lapses in supervision and accountability.

The incident has raised serious questions about security protocols at the Kibera Law Courts: just how did Kibisu bypass four separate security checkpoints under armed guard?

Why has the Prisons Department not yet issued an official statement? What measures are being taken to prevent future breaches?

Questioning of prison police officers from Kamiti who escorted him to court is still going on. Kibisu was convicted of robbery with violence and was sentenced to serve a life in prison.

He appealed and the sentence of death imposed was substituted with a sentence of 20 years imprisonment on each count.

The sentences were to run concurrently from December 11, 2023. On Wednesday, he was appearing for another robbery with violence case in Court 3 where he escaped.