Faith Nyasuguta
A man said to have confessed to the gruesome murders of 42 women has escaped from police custody in Nairobi, Kenya. Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, along with 12 other inmates of Eritrean nationality detained for being in the country illegally, managed to break free from a police station early Tuesday morning.
According to Acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, the breakout occurred under suspicious circumstances. “Our preliminary investigations indicate that the escape was likely aided by insiders, considering that officers were deployed accordingly to guard the station,” Masengeli stated during a news conference.
The authorities have already taken disciplinary action against eight officers, including the area and station commanders, as well as those on duty during the incident.
The escape happened just as breakfast was being served to the inmates. Khalusha, 33, was detained after a court granted detectives an additional seven days to investigate his alleged crimes before formal charges could be brought against him. He was arrested in July following the discovery of 10 bodies and several dismembered body parts wrapped in plastic sacks in the Kware area of Nairobi.
Police revealed that Khalusha confessed to killing 42 women, including his wife. The case had gripped the nation, with Khalusha being a high-value suspect expected to face serious charges. “This was a high-value suspect who was to face serious charges. We are investigating the incident and will take action accordingly,” Masengeli emphasized.
The police report detailed that the inmates escaped by cutting through wire mesh in their cell and scaling the perimeter wall. The police station has since been cordoned off as a crime scene, with senior officers visiting the site on Tuesday afternoon to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, two other suspects, who were arrested after being found with cell phones belonging to some of the deceased women, are scheduled to return to court next Monday. The escape of Khalusha and the other inmates has raised concerns about security and procedural lapses within the Kenyan police force, especially given the high-profile nature of the suspect’s alleged crimes.
The chilling case first came to light in July when relatives of one missing woman claimed they had a dream in which she directed them to search in a quarry. A local diver was then enlisted to help with the search, leading to the horrifying discovery of bodies wrapped in sacks. So far, six bodies have been identified through DNA tests, but many body parts remain unidentified, adding to the mystery and horror surrounding the case.
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