High-Profile Murder Suspect Escapes Police Custody in Kenya

A major security breach occurred in Kenya on Tuesday as Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, a suspect in the murder of 42 women, escaped from police custody. Khalusha, who had confessed to these heinous crimes, was being held at a police station in Nairobi following the discovery of dismembered bodies in the city.

Mohamed Amin, head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, confirmed that Khalusha escaped along with 12 other Eritrean inmates who had been detained for immigration violations. The escape was reportedly facilitated by a breach in security, raising concerns about possible insider assistance.

Acting Police Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli announced that disciplinary action has been taken against eight officers involved, including the area and station commanders as well as those on duty during the escape. Masengeli noted that despite adequate deployment of officers to guard the station, preliminary investigations suggest that internal collusion may have played a role in the escape.

According to police reports, the escape occurred early in the morning when the inmates managed to cut through a wire mesh in their cell and scale the perimeter wall. The escape was discovered during the routine delivery of breakfast to the cell.

Khalusha, 33, was being detained at the police station after a court extended the period for investigating his alleged crimes. He was arrested in July following the grim discovery of 10 bodies and numerous body parts wrapped in plastic sacks in the Kware area of Nairobi.

During questioning, Khalusha reportedly confessed to the murders of 42 women, including his wife. His case was considered a significant one, with serious charges pending. “This was a high-value suspect who was to face serious charges. We are investigating the incident and will take action accordingly,” said Amin.

Khalusha’s lawyer, John Maina Ndegwa, expressed shock and disbelief at the news of his client’s escape. Ndegwa has previously claimed that Khalusha was tortured and coerced into confessing to the crimes, asserting his client’s innocence. “I’m also confounded by the news,” Ndegwa told journalists, adding that he had last spoken with Khalusha on Friday during a court appearance.

Following the escape, the police station has been cordoned off, and senior officers have visited the scene to assess the situation. The escape has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of security measures in place at the facility.

In related developments, two other suspects who were found in possession of cellphones belonging to some of the deceased women are scheduled to return to court next Monday. These suspects were apprehended following the discovery of the bodies in July.

The initial investigation into the case began after the relatives of a missing woman reported a dream in which she allegedly directed them to search in a quarry. A local diver, following their tip, found the bodies wrapped in sacks. While six of the bodies have been identified through DNA testing, several body parts remain unidentified, adding to the ongoing efforts to resolve the case.

The escape of Khalusha, a suspect in one of Kenya’s most disturbing criminal cases, has not only intensified the scrutiny of police procedures but also heightened public concern over the safety and security of detainees and ongoing investigation