Murder Suspect Fights, Overpowers Guard & Escapes From Kitale Law Courts

Police have launched a manhunt for a murder suspect who managed to escape from the Kitale Law Courts on Monday after fighting and overpowering a guard.

According to police reports, the suspect, Reuben Karakacha, overpowered a guard who had accompanied him to the latrine before vanishing to the nearby Chalala slums.

The suspect had been taken to court to hear a mention of his murder case on Monday. Police statements indicated that Karakacha seized the moment, pounced on the guard, and made his way out of the latrine. 

Following the daring escape, the police launched a full-blown manhunt to trail the suspect and take him back to prison as he posed a threat to the members of the public.

A building at the Kitale Law Courts. /THE JUDICIARY

Karakacha was revealed to have been arrested in connection to the murder of a middle-aged woman whose decomposing body was found wrapped in a blanket and buried in a shallow grave back in September.

Detectives arrested him alongside two of his accomplices, Tom Wafula Khamala and Amos Rugut at the home where her grave was discovered during a police operation.

This escape raises serious concerns regarding the security of suspects especially in the precincts of courts. On June 13, Makadara Law Courts Magistrate Monica Kivuti was shot by a police officer as she presided over a court session. She died several days later.

Earlier on Monday, October 28, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced plans to reward Kenyans for information that will lead to the arrest of suspected serial killer Collins Jumaisi Khalusha.

In a statement on Monday, October 28, DCI revealed that a significant cash reward would be given to those who provide information on the whereabouts of the main suspect in the heinous Kware killings that sparked uproar across the nation in July.

His audacious escape sparked nationwide uproar immediately after it happened and prompted Douglas Kanja to visit the Gigiri Police Station on August 20, 2024, just as the committees of Parliament namely the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, along with the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations had approved his nomination by President William Ruto as the new Inspector General of Police.

Two days later, five police officers at the station were released on a personal bond of Ksh200,000 each, despite being accused of aiding and abetting the escape of the notorious serial killer plus 12 other suspects. The five; Ronald Babo, Evans Kipkirui, Mollent Achieng, Zachary Nyabuto and Gerald Mutuku, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Martha Nanzushi before she granted them bond.