In a chilling turn of events, Kenyan police have launched a massive manhunt after a suspected serial killer, who confessed to the brutal murders and dismemberment of 42 women, escaped from a Nairobi police cell. The escape, which has shocked the nation, occurred alongside a dozen other detainees.
Collins Jumaisi, 33, described by authorities as a "vampire" and "psychopath," was apprehended last month following the gruesome discovery of mutilated bodies in a garbage dump located in a slum in Nairobi. His arrest came after a harrowing investigation led to the uncovering of ten butchered female bodies, trussed up in plastic bags and discarded in an abandoned quarry in the Mukuru area.
The breakout was discovered early Tuesday morning when officers made their routine visit to the cells at around 5 am to serve breakfast to the prisoners. To their shock, they found that 13 detainees had escaped by cutting through the wire mesh in the basking bay, an area where prisoners could access fresh air. Among those who fled were Jumaisi and 12 other individuals of Eritrean origin, who were in custody for illegal immigration.
The police station where the escape took place is located in the upmarket district of Gigiri, home to the United Nations regional headquarters and several embassies. This incident marks the second time in less than six months that a suspect in a high-profile case has managed to escape from police custody. Earlier this year, Kenyan national Kevin Kangethe, accused of murdering his girlfriend in the United States, also escaped from a police station but was recaptured after a week on the run.
Jumaisi had appeared in court last Friday, where the magistrate ordered him to be held for an additional 30 days to allow police to complete their investigations. The investigation has revealed that Jumaisi's wife was his first victim, and his confession detailed a gruesome two-year killing spree that has horrified the nation.
The horrific nature of Jumaisi's alleged crimes has thrown a harsh spotlight on Kenya’s police force, especially since the bodies were found just 100 meters from a police station. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and the Independent Police Oversight Authority have both launched investigations into the Mukuru case, with concerns over possible extrajudicial killings and police involvement.
The escape has intensified scrutiny on the Kenyan police, who have often faced accusations from human rights groups of unlawful killings and running hit squads. Despite these allegations, few officers have faced justice. The nation now watches anxiously as the manhunt continues, hoping for the swift capture of Jumaisi and the other escapees before more lives are put at risk.
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