HOMA BAY, Kenya- Police have launched a manhunt for three detainees who escaped from Oyugis Police Station in Rachuonyo South Sub-County after allegedly assaulting an officer and locking him inside the cells.
The escape occurred at about 8pm on Sunday, as Police Constable Robert Aminga responded to a request for drinking water from detainees being held in the male cells.
According to an occurrence-book report, PC Aminga had taken a bucket of water to the cells and directed the detainees to leave the basking area and return to their sleeping cubicles after supper.
Police said three men remained behind as the others moved away.
Officer attacked with water bucket
The report states that one of the detainees allegedly struck PC Aminga with the water bucket and pushed him to the floor, triggering a struggle inside the cells.
Other detainees reportedly intervened to assist the officer, but the three men allegedly used the ensuing commotion to escape, locking the cell doors from outside and trapping PC Aminga inside.
The officer sustained injuries to his chest, left knee and left shoulder and was taken to Rachuonyo Sub-County Hospital for treatment.
Police said the cell sentry, PC Issa Billow, discharged five rounds from a G3 rifle in an attempt to deter the escapees, but the three men fled.
The scene was visited by the Rachuonyo South Sub-County Police Commander, Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer and Officer Commanding Station.
Escapees identified
Police identified the escapees as Erick Onyango, who was being held as a remandee in a defilement case; Collins Ouma Otieno, who was in custody over robbery with violence and rape allegations; and James Otieno, who was also being held in connection with robbery with violence and rape allegations and had an active arrest warrant.
Police said Collins was being held under a miscellaneous application until November 16 as investigations continued.
Rachuonyo South Sub-County Police Commander Philemon Saera said detectives were pursuing leads to trace and rearrest the three men.
“They injured a police officer and escaped. We have got crucial leads which are going to enable us to arrest them again,” Saera said.
Manhunt under way
No arrest had been made by the time of the initial police report, with officers deployed to trace the escapees.
The incident has raised fresh questions over security procedures at police cells, particularly during routine activities such as meal and water distribution.
Police are expected to issue a progress report as the search continues.
