A Kenyan court has ordered a 30-day detention for Collins Jumaisi Khalusha (33), a suspect who allegedly confessed to murdering and dismembering 42 women over the past two years.
The horrific case has cast a dark shadow over Kenya, raising concerns about violence against women and police conduct.
The discovery began on Friday in Nairobi’s Mukuru slum, where 10 bodies were found dumped in a disused quarry.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) confirmed the grim details, with reports indicating the remains were found in plastic bags.
Police identified Khalusha as the suspect and apprehended him near a bar early Monday morning. Authorities believe he was attempting to lure another victim at the time of his arrest.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) head Mohamed Amin, Khalusha confessed to the killings, claiming his wife was the first victim. Amin described the suspect as a “vampire, a psychopath.”
The case has sparked outrage due to its proximity to a police station. Acting national police chief Douglas Kanja has transferred the stationed officers to ensure an unbiased investigation. The suspect’s residence, located near the dumping ground, is also being treated as a crime scene.
The gruesome discoveries have intensified scrutiny of the Kenyan police force, already facing criticism over excessive force used during recent protests.
Adding to the complexity, rights groups like the KNCHR are conducting independent investigations to rule out the possibility of any police involvement in the killings or a failure to act on prior leads.
Kenya’s police watchdog, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), is also investigating these potential lapses.
The case of Collins Jumaisi Khalusha highlights the urgent need for a thorough investigation and decisive action to address violence against women in Kenya.
It also places President William Ruto’s administration under pressure to ensure justice is served and reforms are implemented to prevent such tragedies from happening again.