Police in Homa Bay County have launched a manhunt for three suspects who escaped from Oyugis Police Station cells on Sunday night after allegedly assaulting an officer who had gone to attend to their request for drinking water.
The escape occurred in Rachuonyo South Sub-County, where Police Constable Robert Aminga sustained serious injuries during an attack involving the suspects.
The three escapees have been identified as Erick Onyango, who had been arrested over a defilement case, and Collins Otieno and James Otieno, who were being held over robbery with violence and rape allegations.
According to Rachuonyo South Sub-County Police Commander Philemon Saera, the incident began at around 8pm when some of the detainees started making noise, demanding drinking water.
The officer reportedly responded to their complaints by carrying a bucket of water into the cell, which had 16 detainees at the time.
After distributing the water, Aminga instructed the detainees to return to their respective sleeping cubicles. However, three of them allegedly remained behind as the officer prepared to leave.
Saera said one of the suspects then struck Aminga on the head using the water bucket, while the other two joined in and assaulted him.
The officer suffered serious injuries during the confrontation, prompting other detainees to intervene and rescue him from the attackers.
The incident triggered a fight among those inside the cell, creating confusion that the three suspects allegedly used to make their escape.
During the commotion, the suspects reportedly slipped out of the cell and locked its door from the outside, leaving the injured officer and the remaining detainees trapped inside.
Aminga sustained injuries to his chest, left knee and left shoulder. He was later rushed to Rachuonyo Sub-County Hospital, where he received medical attention.
Police Commander Saera confirmed that officers had begun searching for the three escapees and were working to have them arrested again.
The circumstances surrounding the escape are expected to form part of the ongoing investigations, as police seek to establish how the suspects managed to get out of the cell during the incident.
The three remain wanted by police, who have appealed for information that could help trace their whereabouts and facilitate their arrest.
