NAIROBI, Kenya (AFP)— In a shocking twist, a Kenyan man described by police as a “vampire” and “psychopath” has escaped from a Nairobi police cell, along with a dozen other detainees. The escape occurred Monday night and has sent ripples of concern and outrage throughout the country.
Collins Jumaisi, 33, who was apprehended last month, had confessed to the gruesome murders and dismemberment of 42 women. His first victim was his wife, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ head, Mohamed Amin. Jumaisi’s arrest was marked by the spine-chilling discovery of mutilated bodies dumped in a Nairobi slum.
Kenya police spokeswoman Resila Onyango confirmed that Jumaisi was among the 13 detainees who escaped. The other 12 were all Eritreans. The specifics of how the escape transpired remain murky, leaving many to question the efficacy and integrity of Kenya’s penal system.
Jumaisi’s escape occurred shortly after his appearance in a Nairobi court this past Friday. The magistrate had mandated his detention for an additional 30 days to allow the police to complete their investigations. Despite his known danger and the severity of his crimes, Jumaisi managed to slip through what should have been impenetrable confines.
The horrific saga began with the discovery of ten butchered female bodies, wrapped in plastic bags, in a dumpsite situated in an abandoned quarry in Nairobi’s Mukuru slum. This finding drew enormous public interest and cast a harsh light on Kenya’s police force, as the bodies were found a mere 100 metres from a police station.
Upon his arrest in July near a bar after watching the Euro 2024 football final, Jumaisi confessed to the killings, claiming responsibility for 42 murders committed over two years. This confession painted a chilling portrait of a man devoid of empathy or remorse, and earned him the monikers of “vampire” and “psychopath.”
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) expressed deep concern over the dumped bodies, emphasizing the necessity to rule out any possibility of extrajudicial killings. This development highlighted long-standing issues within the Kenyan police force, which rights groups have frequently accused of unlawful killings and operating clandestine hit squads.
In response, Kenya’s police watchdog, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), launched its own inquiry into whether there was any police involvement or negligence that led to these brutal murders.
Jumaisi’s escape has intensified an already fraught situation. Many are questioning how such a dangerous individual could evade police custody, prompting fears for public safety. There have been calls for immediate action to recapture the escaped detainees and to hold accountable those responsible for the apparent lapses in security.
Authorities are likely to face immense pressure to not only recapture Collins Jumaisi but also address the systemic issues that allowed for his escape. Confidence in Kenya’s law enforcement and judicial proceedings hangs in a precarious balance, awaiting transparent and effective measures to restore faith.
As the manhunt intensifies, Kenyans remain on edge, hoping for swift justice and an end to the reign of terror that has left dozens of families in mourning.
