The arrest of Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, accused of killing and dumping the bodies of at least 42 people at Kware dumpsite in Nairobi’s Mukuru kwa Njenga slums, has sparked controversy over the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) handling of the case.
Kenyans online expressed skepticism after DCI boss Amin Mohamed announced on Monday that Khalusha had confessed to the murders, which spanned from 2022 to July 2024, with his first victim being his wife, Imelda Khalenya. Many questioned the rapidity of the investigation and the arrest of the suspect before autopsies were conducted.
Public Skepticism
Comments on social media reflected doubts about the investigation’s speed and transparency. One user noted, “It took you people 72 hrs to arrest the alleged serial killer, how long will take you people to arrest killers of Kianjokoma brothers and Rita Waeni?” Another added, “The DCI caught the ‘Serial Killer’ dumping bodies at Kware in less than 6 hours but they don’t know who shot and killed Rex, Kogi, Denzel, Belinda, Eric and the rest of the innocent Kenyans.”
Discrepancies in the Case
One major inconsistency involved the timeline of Khalusha’s alleged first victim, his wife Imelda Khalenya. Her body has not been discovered or identified, and her mother only reported her missing two years after her disappearance, raising further questions. Imelda’s mother claimed to have filed a missing person’s report in 2022 but did not provide supporting evidence.
Another issue was the suspect’s residence. Locals claimed not to recognize Khalusha, questioning how he could have lived unnoticed while allegedly committing numerous murders. The DCI claimed Khalusha lived 100 meters from the crime scene and targeted women by inviting them to his house, killing them, and disposing of their bodies at night.
Evidence and Its Implications
The evidence presented by the DCI, including 24 Airtel SIM cards, a government laptop, women’s underwear, and other items, was met with skepticism. Kenyans questioned the cleanliness of the evidence and the relevance of the government laptop, suggesting it may have been part of a national census or digital literacy program.
Post-Mortem Pending
The decomposed state of the bodies, reportedly consistent with being dumped about two weeks ago, further complicated the case. A post-mortem examination is pending to determine the cause of death and provide more clarity.
Allegations of Torture
Khalusha, represented by lawyer John Maina Ndegwa, claimed he was tortured by police to confess to the crimes. He is in need of medical attention, according to his lawyer. The DCI denied these allegations, and the court granted a 30-day detention to complete the investigation.
Public Reaction
Public reaction has been mixed, with many questioning the integrity of the investigation and the quick conclusions drawn by the DCI. The need for a thorough and transparent investigation is paramount to address the concerns raised and ensure justice is served.
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