Hunt for learned jailbird who dodged police in varsity class
Death row inmate Peter Kamau Ndung'u is a Certified Public Accounts (CPA 3 Section six) holder. On December 17, 2014, he was escorted by two officers of the rank of sergeant to the University of Nairobi Lower Kabete Campus where he was to do his final examinations but he slithered away. PHOTO | MACHARIA MWANGI |
What you need to know:
- On Wednesday, he was escorted by two officers of the rank of sergeant to the UoN Lower Kabete Campus where he was to do his final examinations. While handing over his examination papers, he slithered away after 15 years in custody.
- He was not in uniform and was not handcuffed. He had stayed at the correction facility for years, and the warders trusted him for his ambition and supposedly good behaviour. They were wrong.
- Ndung’u had been convicted of five robbery counts, together with co-accused John Maina Kimemia, by the principal magistrate, Kerugoya.
Four years ago, death row inmate Peter Kamau Ndung’u successfully completed his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) course, emerging the top student countrywide. This is no mean feat to achieve from prison.
He graduated at Strathmore University and later joined the University of Nairobi for a Bachelor of Commerce degree — all done from behind bars.
On Wednesday, he was escorted by two officers of the rank of sergeant to the UoN Lower Kabete Campus where he was to do his final examinations. While handing over his examination papers, he slithered away after 15 years in custody.
Kenya Police spokesperson Zipporah Mboroki Saturday said the convict was yet to be rearrested. “A manhunt for him has been launched and an inquiry file opened. Witnesses, including the prison warders, have recorded statements,” she said.
FIVE ROBBERY COUNTS
Prison sergeants Munyoki Mwambua and Joseph Kang’ethe Gitau, both from Naivasha Maximum Security Prison, had escorted the convict, number NAV/1579/011/LS, to Nairobi for the examinations. He was dressed in a black coat, white shirt, trousers and sports shoes.
He was not in uniform and was not handcuffed. He had stayed at the correction facility for years, and the warders trusted him for his ambition and supposedly good behaviour. They were wrong.
Ndung’u had been convicted of five robbery counts, together with co-accused John Maina Kimemia, by the principal magistrate, Kerugoya.
On September 19, 1999, Mr Joseph Weru Kirungu was driving a passenger vehicle from Nairobi to Karatina. He left Nairobi at about 11 am with 18 passengers, including Joseph Irungu, the conductor.
After crossing Tana bridge and before reaching Makutano trading centre, a passenger seated next to the driver, Jotham Maina, requested to alight at a certain signpost. As the vehicle stopped, Maina pointed a pistol at the driver, held him by the collar of the shirt and searched his pockets for money.
BEATEN BY PUBLIC
The convict, Ndung’u, was seated second from the driver in the front cabin. He produced a knife, came out of the vehicle, opened the driver’s door and pushed the driver under the dashboard. He took control of the vehicle, drove it into the bush and stopped about one kilometre from the tarmac road.
Another suspect, John Maina Kimemia, brandished a knife and searched the passengers and crew for money and other valuables.
The three abandoned the passengers in the bush and drove away. Meanwhile, a report of the robbery was made to Sagana police station.
Police officers found the stolen vehicle parked beside the road. Three suspects — Peter Kamau Ndung’u, John Maina Kimemia and Jotham Maina — were being beaten up by the public; about 200 people.
Ndung’u fled to freedom on Wednesday.
