A remandee was shot dead while another escaped following an attempted jailbreak in Embu West Sub-county on Tuesday afternoon.
The dramatic incident occurred in the Gatondo area when two detainees sprayed pepper at police officers in a bold escape attempt while being transported from Siakago Law Courts.
Embu West OCPD Vincent Kitili confirmed the incident, stating that police opened fire after the inmates fled from a prison van. One of the escapees, identified as Swaleh Oswado — a former ODM aspirant for the Kirimari Ward seat — was fatally shot during the chase.
“The two suspects threw pepper at the officers inside the prison van, causing temporary blindness and confusion,” said Kitili. “They clearly planned this escape in advance.”
According to police, the situation escalated when the vehicle slowed down to navigate speed bumps in Gatondo. The suspects leapt out of the moving van and ran into a nearby maize plantation, prompting a swift pursuit by officers.
“We gave chase immediately,” Kitili said. “One of the suspects, Swaleh Oswado, ran into an unfinished house where he armed himself with a panga and dared our officers to come any closer.”
Officers pursued Oswado to a perimeter wall, where he allegedly attempted to leap into a neighbouring farm.
“It was at that point our officers opened fire after he refused to surrender and posed a direct threat. He was shot and died on the spot,” Kitili confirmed.
Reinforcements from neighboring police stations arrived shortly after to support the operation. However, the second inmate managed to escape into nearby thickets and remains at large.
“We’ve launched a full-scale manhunt to track down the escaped prisoner,” said Kitili. “We are also appealing to the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals.”
Kitili added that Oswado was a high-risk detainee facing multiple serious charges.
“He was not just a former politician. He was also facing numerous criminal cases, which made him a dangerous individual to have at large,” he said.
Police processed the scene, and Oswado’s body was taken to the Embu Level Five Hospital mortuary.
“We want to assure the public that we are on high alert,” Kitili said. “Such incidents will not deter us from enforcing the law and maintaining order.”
Authorities continue to urge residents in surrounding areas to report any information that could help in locating the escaped suspect.
