Police in Nairobi have launched a search for a Ugandan man accused of kidnapping and possibly killing a Kenyan policeman.
27-year-old Martin Wasike mysteriously escaped from Kamukunji police station in Nairobi, where he had been locked after a court allowed police to detain him and his two co-accused for 21 days to the pave way for completion of investigations.
Daily Nation reports that the suspect was found missing from his cell on Thursday morning, just two days after the court issued the order. Police believe Wasike sneaked out of the cell between Wednesday at 3.30 pm and Thursday at 3.30 am.
“No grills were cut and no one was injured. He may have tricked someone and left,” an officer told Daily Nation.
Following the incident, an unsuccessful search for the suspect was done in Mathare slums, where a female friend had been harboring him, according to Central police commander Mark Wanjala.
“The search is ongoing. We are also investigating the circumstances under which he escaped custody. His co-accused did not escape; they are in custody,” said Wanjala.
Wasike and two other suspects; Shariff Wanabwa and Phoebe Anido Andayi are accused of abducting police constable Abel Misati on January 19th, 2020. They were arrested in Nairobi while in possession of his stolen items, including his mobile phone.
“The three are a threat to the security of the public if they can kidnap a well-trained police officer whose whereabouts are yet to be established,” the court was told.
Kenyan police, in collaboration with Interpol, are in pursuit of a Ugandan man believed to have hatched the abduction of the police officer who is still missing. The suspect is believed to have fled to Uganda.
