A court in Kenya has granted police permission to detain Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, 33, for 30 days as investigations continue into the discovery of dismembered women’s bodies in a flooded quarry. Khalusha appeared in Makadara court on Tuesday, accompanied by his lawyer who had objected to the police’s request for extended detention.
Since Friday, police have been retrieving dismembered bodies from a quarry near the suspect’s residence. The search has yielded 10 bodies and various body parts, along with phones, identity cards, and a machete found at Khalusha’s home. Two families have tentatively identified their relatives among the victims, pending DNA confirmation.
Mohamed Amin, head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, reported that the suspect confessed to killing 42 women, including his wife, since 2022. However, authorities have not provided evidence to support this claim.
The case came to light after relatives of a missing woman claimed to have had a dream directing them to search the quarry. A local diver, enlisted by the family, discovered the bodies wrapped in sacks.
In response to the case, acting police inspector general Douglas Kanja announced the transfer of officers from a nearby police station to facilitate investigations. Local residents had accused the police of negligence, given the quarry’s proximity to the station and numerous unresolved missing persons cases.
Human rights groups have called on Kenya’s security agencies to expedite investigations into all reports of enforced disappearances. Initial concerns had linked the bodies to abductions and arrests during recent anti-government protests.
This case has shocked the nation and raised questions about law enforcement effectiveness and the safety of women in Kenya. As investigations continue, the focus remains on identifying victims, understanding the full scope of the crimes, and ensuring justice is served.
AP
