A suspect facing defilement charges reportedly escaped from an Eldoret court in a dramatic incident on Tuesday.
The suspect, who had been in custody at the Eldoret GK Prison, was brought to the court for a hearing before Principal Magistrate Nancy Barasa.
The suspect, who was reportedly not handcuffed and was dressed in civilian clothing, suddenly stood up and fled the courtroom.
He exited through a door, jumped over a fence, and fled along the Eldoret-Iten road.
Despite efforts by prison officers and police to apprehend him, the suspect managed to disappear into the surrounding area.
Uasin Gishu Police boss Benjamin Mwanthi said they are pursuing the suspect to re-arrest him.
“We are hot on his hills and we urge the public to help us apprehend him,” Mwanthi said.
Mwanthi said they are also investigating circumstances under which the suspect escaped.
The suspect has been at Eldoret GK remand prison since his arrest by the police in October last year.
Three witnesses had already testified against the suspect and two more were lined up to give evidence.
The suspect is said to have committed the offense in October last year in the Jua Kali area of Turbo sub-county, Uasin Gishu County.
The suspect, however, denied the offense and was remanded in custody.
Following the escape, security has been tightened at the Eldoret High Court where the incident occurred.
Additional officers from prisons and police have been deployed at the courts.
