SEVEN hardcore criminals yesterday escaped from the Eldoret GK Prison after crushing a section of the prison's perimeter wall. Police in Eldoret were yesterday busy searching for the criminals following the break last night. Eldoret deputy police boss Benjamin Onsongo said warders managed to prevented more prisoners from escaping.

He said the escapees are being pursued and police at the Kenya-Uganda border had been alerted to prevent them from crossing into Uganda. "We are tracing them and we have crucial leads that will help us trace them. They are hardcore criminals who must be re-arrested and taken to court because they had been taken in for serious crimes," said Onsongo. Security was tightened at the prison after the break and sources said officers who were on duty had been interrogated.

Two month ago, 10 inmates escaped from the same prison and one of them has not been re-arrested. During that incident, a journalist was shot and wounded while covering the event. Sources said the prisons department headquarters had expressed concern over the frequent breaks at the Eldoret prison. Police and prison warders were yesterday bust combing nearby Munyaka Estate. At the same time, police were screening people and vehicles at the border crossing.

Meanwhile, government offices and other installations in Eldoret, Kitale and parts of the north rift region are under tight security to prevent terror attacks. Vehicles entering areas near government offices are being screened and their details recorded. Two gates leading to Eldoret Municipal Council offices have been shut and the public will use one entrance. Metal detectors have also been installed at supermarkets and other public places.