EIGHT police officers in Kenya have been suspended after allegedly aiding the escape of Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, a suspected serial killer accused of murdering 42 women since 2022, including his wife. Khalusha was arrested in July after nine mutilated bodies were discovered in an abandoned quarry in Nairobi. However, he escaped custody on Tuesday, raising serious concerns about police conduct.
Khalusha, who was being held at a police station, managed to flee along with 12 other detainees, including Eritrean nationals detained for illegal entry into Kenya. According to police reports, the detainees cut through a wire mesh roof and scaled a perimeter wall before disappearing. The escape was discovered early in the morning when officers arrived to serve breakfast.
The escape of a suspect accused of such heinous crimes has shocked the nation. Khalusha’s lawyer, John Maina Ndegwa, had previously denied the allegations against his client, claiming that Khalusha was tortured into confessing to the murders.
The escape has led to the suspension of the eight officers who were on duty at the time, as investigations continue into how the escape was orchestrated. The incident has further fuelled scepticism about police involvement in unlawful activities, with Kenya’s Independent Police Oversight Authority launching an investigation to determine if any officers were linked to the killings.
The killings attributed to Khalusha have raised questions about the effectiveness of Kenya’s police force. Many Kenyans are questioning how 42 murders could go unnoticed for two years, only for a suspect to be apprehended within days of the bodies being found. The proximity of the quarry to a police station has added to public outrage.
Kenya’s police force has been under scrutiny for human rights abuses, particularly following recent anti-government protests. The current investigation into Khalusha’s escape is expected to address these ongoing concerns.
At the time of Khalusha’s arrest, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief Mohamed Amin described him as a ‘psychopathic serial killer’ with no regard for human life. Khalusha had appeared in court in July, where a magistrate ordered his detention for 30 days to allow further investigation.
This escape comes as Kenya is still reeling from the Shakahola forest massacre, where more than 400 bodies were discovered in mass graves. Cult leader Paul Mackenzie, who allegedly encouraged his followers to starve themselves to death, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.
The case of Collins Jumaisi Khalusha has gripped the nation and put the spotlight on the Kenyan police force’s ability to manage such high-profile cases. The outcome of the ongoing investigation will be closely watched as the country seeks justice for the victims.
Reuters
