Suspected Serial Killer Escapes Nairobi Police Custody, Sparking Outrage

Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, a 33-year-old man suspected of killing at least 42 women, including his wife, has escaped from police custody in Nairobi, Kenya. The incident has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the country's criminal justice system.

Khalusha, who was being held at the Gigiri police station in Nairobi's diplomatic area, managed to escape by cutting through wire mesh in the holding cells and scaling the perimeter walls. The escape occurred on August 19, 2024, and was discovered the following morning.

The suspect's arrest came after the gruesome discovery of dismembered bodies in an abandoned quarry in the Kware area of Nairobi on July 12, 2024. This shocking find sent ripples through Kenya, a country already grappling with rising violence against women.

Mohamed Amin, head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya's principal investigative agency established during the British colonial period, stated, "This was a high-value suspect who was to face serious charges. We are investigating the incident and will take action accordingly."

The escape has highlighted ongoing challenges in Kenya's law enforcement and judicial systems. Since gaining independence in 1963, Kenya has been working to modernize its police force and justice system, with reforms initiated in 2009. However, incidents like this underscore the persistent issues faced by the country.

Kyalo Wambua, a 29-year-old quarry worker who assisted in retrieving 13 bodies from the site, recounted his shocking experience: "I was shocked because I had never seen something like that before. Several of the bodies were of younger women."

The DCI alleges that Khalusha's first victim was his wife, whom he allegedly killed and dumped in the quarry in 2022. Authorities claim to have found phones and SIM cards belonging to some of the victims in Khalusha's possession.

[[Millian Nyamoita, human rights activist]]

"In this country, we do not have justice as women and as a people."

This incident is not isolated. In 2021, another alleged serial killer escaped from police custody in Nairobi, only to be killed by a mob days later. Earlier this year, a suspect awaiting extradition to the United States also managed to escape before being recaptured.

These recurring escapes have raised concerns about the competence of Kenya's law enforcement and the security of its detention facilities. With a population of approximately 55 million people and Nairobi being one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa, the country faces significant challenges in maintaining law and order.

As Kenya continues to implement community policing strategies and work towards improving its criminal justice system, incidents like Khalusha's escape serve as a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done to ensure public safety and justice for victims of violent crimes.