In a case that has gripped Kenya, a nation of approximately 55 million people, Collins Jumaisi Khalusha stands accused of being the country's most prolific serial killer. The 33-year-old is alleged to have murdered and dismembered 42 women over a two-year period, with the most recent killing occurring in July 2024. However, the case has been marred by public skepticism and a startling twist: Khalusha's disappearance from police custody.
The investigation began on July 12, 2024, when authorities discovered several corpses in an abandoned quarry in Mukuru, one of Nairobi's largest slums housing over 600,000 people. Within 72 hours, police had arrested Khalusha and claimed to have obtained a full confession. This swift action, however, raised eyebrows among a populace accustomed to a police force often criticized for corruption and inefficiency.
Kenya's history of unsolved high-profile murders, including that of British tourist Julie Ward in 1988, has contributed to a deep-seated mistrust in law enforcement. This skepticism has been further fueled by the country's experiences with political violence and a criminal justice system that has struggled with reform efforts, such as the National Police Service Act of 2011.
The case took an unexpected turn on August 20, 2024, when Khalusha vanished from his cell along with 12 Eritrean detainees. This incident has spawned numerous conspiracy theories, with some locals speculating about police involvement or even suggesting that Khalusha was a scapegoat in a larger cover-up.
"This guy is a poor boy from a poor family. He eked out a living selling SIM cards on the streets, for which he earned tiny commissions. Where would he have got the money to bribe the police and mastermind an escape like this?"
The local community's disbelief in Khalusha's guilt is palpable. Residents of Mukuru, where Khalusha lived in a small, 10-foot by 10-foot room, argue that the close-knit nature of the slum makes it implausible for such crimes to go unnoticed.
Adding to the mystery is the discrepancy between the alleged number of victims and the bodies recovered. Police claim Khalusha confessed to killing 42 women, yet only a fraction of this number has been found. This inconsistency has led to alternative theories, including the possibility of cult killings or organ harvesting – a global issue with an estimated 10,000 black market operations annually.
As the investigation continues, the case highlights the complex challenges facing Kenya's criminal justice system. With a diverse population of over 40 ethnic groups and ongoing issues such as youth unemployment and terrorism threats, the country grapples with maintaining public trust in its institutions.
The disappearance of Collins Jumaisi Khalusha has left more questions than answers, reflecting the broader issues of transparency and accountability in Kenya's law enforcement. As the search for truth continues, many Kenyans remain skeptical that the full story will ever come to light.