Updated as of 8/20/2024 at 1:45 p.m. ET
The newest development in the case of Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, a Kenyan man who confessed to the murder of over 40 women, is nothing less of disappointing and frankly, a little frightening.
Mohamed Amin, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, told The Associated Press Khalusha and 12 other Eritrean inmates escaped custody Tuesday after cutting through the wire mesh of their cells and scaling the perimeter wall. Khalusha was placed in custody at the police station following a court hearing that allowed detectives another week of investigation to decide on his charges. However, by the time officials went to bring them breakfast, they discovered the inmates were missing.
“This was a high-value suspect who was to face serious charges. We are investigating the incident and will take action accordingly,” said Amin.
Another official told the outlet disciplinary measures have been taken against the eight officers that were on duty, including some station commanders.
“Our preliminary investigations indicate that the escape was aided by insiders considering that officers were deployed accordingly to guard the station,” said police inspector Gilbert Masengeli.
While the Eritrean inmates were being held for being in Kenya illegally, Khalusha was wanted for a much, much more heinous crime: the murder and mutilation of 42 women. Khalusha’s escape comes after a two-year-long manhunt by Kenyan law enforcement that ended in July when police arrested him outside sports bar.
Khalusha’s Arrest and Grueling Confession
Kenya’s National Police said they believe 33-year-old Khalusha is behind the string of killings dating back to 2022. They became aware of the killings after discovering a series of remains of women ages 18 through 30. Police said they were found mutilated, stuffed in sacks and discarded near a dump in Kware. Authorities immediately believed they had a cult leader or serial killer on their hands.
At the same time of the investigation, authorities were on the search for a woman named Josephine Owino, whose remains were found among the others recovered by officials. Her sister said she’d gone missing June 26, per CBS News. Luckily, Owino’s phone led detectives to their prime suspect, according to Mohammed Amin, chief of Kenya’s national Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Police said they were able to trace a money transaction from Owino to Khalusha’s phone, locating him at a club where he watched the European soccer championship Sunday. Police say he confessed to luring in the victims, killing them and disposing of their bodies - all 42 of them including his wife, whom he confessed was his first kill.
Khalusha lived in a one room rented home just feet away from where the remains were found, police said in the conference. Authorities also displayed the items they recovered from his home including 10 cell phones, 24 SIM cards, eight ID cards ranging from men and women, a pair of rubber gloves and a machete.
The revelation of these grisly crimes sent shockwaves across Kenya where women feared being raped or killed.
“Those women might have been killed today, but which woman is next in line? It is so sad that someone who killed 42 people was still roaming out there. Women’s lives must count, and women’s lives must be protected,” said Kajiado lawmaker Leah Sankaire Sopiato at the conference.