A suspected police impostor has been re-arrested in Machakos town.

The man escaped from the court cells on Monday morning as police were moving hardcore criminals.

"Police laid an ambush at Ikungu near his home and arrested him shortly after 2am yesterday morning," said Machakos deputy police boss Philip Wambugu.

The suspect had been arrested at the weekend and locked up at the Machakos police station after he was allegedly found with AP uniforms at his home.

He was suspected of harassing and robbing residents of Mung'ala town dressed as an AP officer. The man was arrested last year and charged with breaking into Kenya Forestry Service offices in Mumbuni and stealing several items including a set of uniforms. He was acquitted after the investigating officer failed to turn up in court to testify against him.

Police are however investigating how he walked away from the cells unnoticed despite heightened security including warders and police officers manning two gates. Last year, a suspected capital offender tried to escape from the court cells but was apprehended before he could scale over the roof.