Three remandees escape from Oyugis Police Station after assaulting officer

Three prisoners escaped from lawful custody at Oyugis Police Station in Homa Bay County after allegedly attacking a police officer and locking him inside the cells.

The incident occurred on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at around 8pm, when 16 prisoners were being held at the station.

According to police, a constable of police, who was on night duty as the report office personnel, went to the male cells after inmates requested drinking water during supper.

As he handed them a bucket of water and instructed them to leave the basking bay and return to their sleeping cubicles, three prisoners reportedly remained behind while 12 others proceeded to their cubicles.

One of the three allegedly struck the officer with the water bucket before pushing him to the floor, triggering a confrontation inside the cells.

During the ensuing melee, the trio managed to get out of the cells, locked the doors from outside, trapping the injured officer inside before making their escape.

The escapees were identified as Erick Onyango, who was being held on a defilement charge; Collins Ouma Otieno, arrested over robbery with violence and rape charges; and James Otieno, who was facing similar charges and also had an active warrant of arrest.

Police said Collins Ouma Otieno was being held under a miscellaneous application until November 16, 2026.

The officer sustained injuries to his chest, left knee and left shoulder during the confrontation and was rushed to Rachuonyo Sub-County Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, another constable, who was serving as the cell sentry, reportedly fired five rounds of ammunition from his G3 rifle in an attempt to deter the fleeing prisoners.

Senior police officers, including the Sub-County Police Commander, the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer and the Officer Commanding Station, visited the scene.

No arrests had been made by the time the incident was reported, as police launched a manhunt to trace and recapture the three escapees.

also read;