A convicted robber who escaped from the Kibera courthouse on Wednesday had previously received a death sentence for another robbery case, which was commuted to 20 years’ imprisonment in April following his appeal.

Alex Kibisu, 29, described as a serial robber, successfully appealed his December 2023 death sentence when Justice Diana Kavedza ruled that the original punishment destroyed his hopes “for rehabilitation or having another chance to start afresh”.

Kibisu was initially arrested by Riruta police in a separate robbery case. Langata police  detectives later identified him as one of two robbers who had attacked Caroline Wakio Mugo and her friends Nyambura Wahome and Virginia Wainaina near Uhuru Gardens.

During that incident, the armed robbers ordered the women to lie down while demanding their belongings before fleeing. The victims immediately reported the crime at the Langata Police Station. Wakio later identified Kibisu at an identification parade, recognising him by a distinctive scar she had clearly observed during the well-lit robbery.

The court convicted Kibisu and his co-accused of robbery and imposed death sentences.

“The immediate reporting of the incident, the identification parade, and positive identification in court by all three victims strengthened the prosecution’s case,” the court ruled.

“Although stolen items, weapons, and the motorbike were not recovered, their absence does not negate the offence, as the identity of the assailants and use of violence were established.”

On Wednesday, Kibisu escaped custody during a scheduled court appearance for a robbery-with-violence defence hearing. Around 1pm, while being escorted from Courtroom No. 3 to the court cells, he jumped over the court’s perimeter wall and disappeared into adjacent informal settlements, about one kilometre southwest of the Kibra Police Station.

Kibisu, described as a dark-complexioned Luhya male from Sikilu sub-location in Sabatia, Kakamega County, was residing in Satellite, Riruta, at the time of his arrest. He had been charged alongside Simon Peter Kimani in one robbery case.

Both Police and Prisons headquarters confirmed that disciplinary action had been taken against the officers involved, and an inquiry into the escape has been ordered.

The incident highlights growing concerns about suspects escaping from custody. Nearly 250 suspects have escaped across the country in the past two years. In February, eight hardcore criminals escaped when suspected Turkana bandits killed Constable Humphrey Oroba in Charda, on the Maralal-Baragoi-South Horr road, also stealing his AK-47 rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition.

Officials emphasise that officers handling high-risk suspects must implement special precautions, including specific detention, guarding, and visitation procedures to prevent escape attempts.