The prison authorities have disclosed details of suspects who escaped from the Wundanyi Main Prisons in Taita Taveta County.
The suspects are said to have staged the escape after cutting part of the roof of the prison cell on Sunday January 26 morning.
Among those who escaped were Patrick Karisa, 28 who had been charged with the offense of housebreaking,
Erickson Mwachofi, 18 and charged with rape and Alex Makezi, 30 charged with causing grievous harm.
Others include Edward Maighasho, 28 charged with defilement, Robert Muchugwa Mwawasi, 19 facing charges of sexual assault and Mwangemi Mwanyange, 22 who had been charged with housebreaking, assault and resisting arrest.
Joseph Kalama, 39 charged with breaking into a building with an intention of committing a felony, house breaking and being in possession of government stores and Samuel Ngota Onyango, 18 charged with gang rape escaped, officials said.
Police and prison officials said the suspects cut the iron sheets of the roof and used the opening to escape unheard.
The escape was noticed hours later as the prison warders on duty conducted a routine check.
The suspects were in remand waiting for the hearing of their cases, which were in various stages, officials said.
Senior police officers rushed to the scene when the alarm on the escape was raised.
The personnel recorded statements from personnel who were on duty as part of efforts to establish circumstances surrounding the escape.
Police and prison officials staged an operation in the area in vain.
Prisons officials said they had alerted authorities in areas where the suspects come from to help in tracing and re-arresting the suspects.
Police said multi multi-agency teams are pursuing the suspects.
The police urged locals to report any of the suspects who may be seen in their area.
This is among others because there are fears the suspects may harm witnesses or may be attacked in the villages.
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