Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, the prime suspect in the horrific murders of at least 42 women in Embakasi South, Nairobi, has made allegations of police brutality following his arrest on Monday.
Khalusha, who is accused of systematically killing and dismembering the victims before dumping their bodies at a dumpsite in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, claims he was tortured into confessing to the crimes.
Through his lawyer, John Maina Ndegwa, the suspect pleaded with the court to grant him urgent medical attention, stating, “My client has been subjected to horrendous inhuman mistreatment so that he can confess to issues which are alien to him. I pray that the court directs for urgent medical attention even as they do their investigations.”
However, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has refuted the allegations of abuse, asserting that only one officer was assigned to record the suspect’s statement.
The DCI is seeking to have Khalusha detained for 30 days to conclude the investigation, citing the need to trace witnesses, conduct DNA sampling, and subject the suspect to a mental assessment.
Ndegwa, the defense lawyer, opposed the 30-day detention, urging the court to grant only 14 days and arguing that the prosecution’s claims were “mere speculation and apprehension.”
Ultimately, the Principle Magistrate Irene Gichobi allowed the DCI to detain the suspect for 30 days.
The DCI says Khalusha’s arrest followed a thorough forensic analysis of a victim’s mobile phone, which revealed suspicious mobile money transactions made when the woman went missing.
The subsequent search of the suspect’s single-room house in Kayole uncovered a trove of incriminating items, including 24 Airtel SIM card holders, 8 smartphones, a laptop, a hard drive, two flash drives, a machete believed to be used for dismemberment, 12 nylon sacks, and various other items linked to the crimes.
As the investigation continues, the suspect’s house and the dumping site remain active crime scenes.
“His arrest followed thorough forensic analysis of a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims where some mobile money transactions were made when she went missing,” said DCI boss Amin.
