A man who police say confessed to killing 42 women and was being detained over the discovery of dismembered bodies in Kenya’s capital has escaped from custody, officials said on Tuesday.
Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, 33, was being held at a Nairobi police station after a court granted detectives seven more days to investigate his alleged crimes before pressing charges.
Mohamed Amin, the head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, told the Associated Press it was “unfortunate” that Khalusha had escaped with 12 other inmates after they cut through wire mesh in their cells and scaled the perimeter wall early Tuesday morning.
“This was a high-value suspect who was to face serious charges. We are investigating the incident and will take action accordingly,” he said.
Khalusha was arrested in July after 10 bodies and several body parts were found wrapped in plastic sacks in the Kware area of Nairobi.
Police claim Khalusha confessed to killing 42 women, including his wife.
Khalusha’s lawyer told journalists his client was tortured and forced to confess, maintaining his innocence.
Two other suspects arrested in possession of mobile phones belonging to some of the victims will return to court on August 26.
