Kenyan police have launched a manhunt and offered a cash reward for information leading to the capture of Collins Jumaisi, a suspected serial killer who escaped from a Nairobi police cell.
Jumaisi, accused of murdering and dismembering dozens of women, broke out of a police station in a high-end area of the Kenyan capital on Tuesday, along with 12 Eritrean nationals.
The 33-year-old suspect, whom police have described as a “vampire” and “psychopath,” was arrested last month following the discovery of multiple mutilated female bodies in a rubbish dump in the Mukuru slum area of Nairobi. Police say he confessed to killing 42 women over a two-year span, starting in 2022, with his first victim being his wife. However, Jumaisi has claimed he was tortured during his detention.
The escape has raised serious concerns and led to the arrest of five police officers suspected of aiding Jumaisi’s breakout. The officers were released on a 200,000 Kenyan shilling ($1,500) bond, despite the prosecution’s request for a 14-day detention to allow further investigations. Authorities believe the escape was executed by cutting through a wire mesh roof and scaling a perimeter wall.
This incident marks the second time in six months that a suspect in a high-profile case has escaped custody in Nairobi, sparking outrage across the country. The case has drawn significant public attention, with Kenyans appalled by the brutal killings and questioning the role of police, as the bodies were found only 100 meters from a police station.
Kenya’s Independent Police Oversight Authority is investigating possible police involvement or negligence in preventing the murders. Kenyan police have long faced accusations of unlawful killings and operating hit squads, yet few officers have been held accountable. The latest developments highlight persistent concerns about police corruption and inefficiency in handling serious criminal cases.