President Kenyatta fires Kenya Prisons boss Wycliffe Ogalo over Kamiti escape

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday sacked Wycliffe Ogalo as the Commissioner-General of the Kenya Prisons Service.

This follows a breach in security at the Kamiti Maximum Prison which led to the escape of three terror convicts.

President Kenyatta, hence, appointed and witnessed the swearing-in of Ogalo’s successor, Brigadier (Rtd) John Kibaso Warioba.

According to a statement from State House to newsrooms, the Head of State made the decision on the back of a briefing from the ministry responsible for correctional services regarding the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison escape.

“The briefing noted the compelling public interest in the matter and the need to entrench accountability in the ranks of the leadership of all security organs; in honour of the many Kenyans who have lost their lives and the enormous sacrifices made by all Kenyans and particularly the security organs to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat terror networks,” read the statement by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena-Mararo.

President Kenyatta also directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i to spare no resource in pursuing and capturing the Kamiti escapees.

He urged all State investigative agencies to bring every person found to have been involved in the prison break to full account.

The president further directed the State Department of Correctional Services to begin disciplinary action against all prisons staff who were on duty when the security breach occurred; this includes redeployment and/or immediate suspension of those found culpable.

“The Head of State and Government has urged all Kenyans to volunteer any information that will lead to the tracing and arrest of the three escapees. He also thanked all our security personnel for their tireless and heroic work in law enforcement and counterterrorism,” added the statement.

“The President further urged all Kenyans to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to our security agencies; as we all have a shared duty to defend and protect our freedoms and way of life that is at risk with the rising threats of terror within the region.”