In a shocking turn of events, Collins Jumaisi, the prime suspect in the Mukuru Murders case, escaped from Gigiri Police Station on the morning of Tuesday, August 20, 2024, alongside 12 other suspects. The escape, which has sent shockwaves through the community, raises serious concerns about police security and the potential threat posed by the fugitive.
Jumaisi, who was arrested in July on suspicion of carrying out a series of brutal killings that culminated in the discovery of multiple bodies at a dumpsite in the Kware area, Mukuru slums, is now on the run. According to reports from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Jumaisi and the other escapees, believed to be Eritrean nationals, managed to cut through a wire mesh before scaling the perimeter wall of the station.
Serial Killer Suspect on the Loose
Jumaisi's arrest came after a string of gruesome murders rocked the Mukuru slums, with police identifying him as the prime suspect. He was accused of killing at least 42 people, mostly women, whose bodies were found wrapped and dumped in the Kware pit between 2022 and July 2024. His first victim is believed to have been his wife, whom he allegedly strangled to death in 2022 over a domestic dispute. Her body was later found dumped in the same pit just 100 meters from their home.
During the investigation, authorities uncovered a machete at Jumaisi's residence, which he reportedly used to dismember the bodies of his victims before disposing of them. Sim cards and other personal items believed to belong to the victims were also recovered from his home, providing further evidence linking him to the heinous acts. Despite initially admitting to the murders, Jumaisi later retracted his confession, claiming he had been coerced into making the statement.
Police Under Scrutiny
The escape of Jumaisi and the 12 other suspects has raised alarm and sparked widespread fear, particularly among the residents of Mukuru who had been terrorized by the serial killings. The DCI has launched an intensive search to recapture the fugitives, but the incident has prompted many questions about the security measures at police facilities.
On Friday, August 16, just days before the escape, the police had been granted an additional seven days to detain Jumaisi and two others in connection with the Mukuru Murders. This was following a ruling by Makadara Principal Magistrate Irine Gichobi, who approved the request for more time to allow the prosecution to finalize its investigations.
Jumaisi's sudden disappearance from custody has cast a dark shadow over the police force, with many observers questioning how such a high-profile suspect was able to break free from one of Nairobi’s main police stations. Concerns are mounting over the potential danger posed by Jumaisi, who is suspected of being a serial killer, and the impact this may have on the ongoing investigation.
Community Fear and Urgency for Recapture
The Mukuru community, already traumatized by the string of murders, is now gripped by fear as the suspect remains at large. Jumaisi's escape raises serious concerns about public safety, and many are demanding answers from the police regarding how this breach of security was allowed to happen.
The police and DCI have assured the public that a thorough search is underway to apprehend Jumaisi and the other escapees, but the clock is ticking as fear continues to spread through Nairobi.
