Foiled jailbreak: Woman arrested after pliers, shears found hidden in food for Ruai remandees

A suspected jailbreak at Ruai Police Station was dramatically foiled after an 18-year-old woman allegedly smuggled a pair of pliers and shears hidden inside a meal meant for three remanded suspects facing capital-offence charges.

The escape plot came to light yesterday afternoon when cells custody officers subjected a white plastic container carrying rice and meat to a routine inspection and allegedly found the two tools concealed inside the food.

Christine Njoki Gitau arrived at the station’s reception at about 4pm on September 15, 2026, saying she had brought food for three friends being held at the facility.

The food—rice and meat packed in a white plastic container—was subjected to routine inspection by cells custody personnel before it could be handed to the remandees.

It was during the inspection that officers allegedly discovered the two tools concealed inside the meal, triggering an immediate security alert.

Gitau was arrested and placed in custody as police began investigating whether the tools were intended to facilitate an escape by the three suspects.

The discovery triggered an immediate security alert, with police arresting Christine Njoki Gitau, who had arrived at the station at about 4pm claiming she was visiting three friends held in the cells.

The three remandees—Emmanuel Bosire, Brian Gatheru Nderitu and Ismail Bosire Oilio—are facing serious allegations, including robbery with violence and gang rape.

Police are now investigating whether the tools were intended to cut through locks or otherwise facilitate the suspects’ escape, as well as whether Gitau was acting alone or as part of a wider plan.

What appeared to be an ordinary food delivery thus turned into the key breakthrough in a suspected jailbreak plot before the suspects could make their move.

The three are being held at the station in connection with serious criminal allegations, including robbery with violence contrary to Section 296(2) of the Penal Code and gang rape contrary to Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Act.

According to police, the suspects are also under investigation over allegations that they operated an anonymous TikTok account which was allegedly used to lure young women into meetings before they were reportedly robbed and sexually assaulted.

The discovery of the tools has now opened a separate line of investigation into how they were obtained, who was behind their delivery and whether the three suspects were planning to use them to break out of custody.

Police routinely inspect food and other items brought into custody as part of measures to prevent prohibited items from reaching detainees and remandees.

Officers are expected to record statements from the arrested woman and investigate her relationship with the three suspects as they seek to establish whether she acted alone or was delivering the tools on behalf of other people.

The discovery has also raised questions about the security arrangements surrounding suspects facing serious criminal charges, particularly those held at police stations awaiting further court proceedings.