Mulembe Times | July 24, 2025
Authorities are investigating a troubling security breach after a convicted inmate, Alex Kibisu, mysteriously escaped from the Kibera Law Courts on Wednesday, July 23, around midday, leaving the justice system scrambling for answers.
Kibisu, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for a violent robbery incident in Lang’ata, had been brought to court to face fresh charges relating to another robbery with violence case. His previous conviction stemmed from a November 30, 2023 incident in which he allegedly shot and seriously injured a man named Duncan Shiemi during a robbery at Akiba Estate in Lang’ata.
According to court sources and preliminary investigations, Kibisu was scheduled to appear before the magistrate when he vanished under mysterious circumstances, allegedly escaping through a rear wall located behind the court’s holding cells. The area is considered a secured zone and is typically monitored and manned by armed security personnel.
The incident has stunned court officials and law enforcement, with early reports suggesting that Kibisu somehow managed to bypass at least four separate security checkpoints, all manned by guards from the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and other enforcement units.
What’s even more perplexing is that Kibisu was handcuffed at the time of his escape. Authorities are now questioning how the inmate managed such a bold breakout in a highly controlled environment. His escape raises significant questions about the state of courtroom and prisoner security, and whether lapses in protocol or internal collusion may have played a role.
The Kenya Prisons Service has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. Meanwhile, investigations are underway, including the interrogation of the prison officers who were assigned to escort Kibisu to court.
The case has sent ripples across the judiciary and the security establishment, with urgent calls for an overhaul of security procedures in handling high-risk inmates in courtrooms. Legal experts warn that such breaches not only threaten public safety but also erode confidence in the justice system’s ability to manage convicted criminals.
Kibisu’s sentences—originally set to run concurrently from December 11, 2023—are now effectively in limbo. Law enforcement agencies have launched a manhunt, but as of Thursday evening, the inmate remains at large.
Court officials are expected to convene an internal meeting to review the breach and recommend immediate security improvements to avoid similar occurrences.
