Kenyan police announced on Monday that they have apprehended the primary suspect in connection with the discovery of nine dismembered bodies of women at a quarry in Nairobi, the capital city.
The suspect, identified as a 33-year-old man named Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, reportedly confessed to the killing of 42 women, including his wife, since 2022. However, authorities have not provided any evidence to substantiate his claim of the total number of victims.
Khalusha is set to appear in court on Tuesday to face charges related to the gruesome murders. During a search of his residence, police found several smartphones and identity cards.
The macabre discovery of the bodies came to light after relatives of a missing woman reported having a dream in which she guided them to search the quarry. Subsequently, a local diver was enlisted to assist in the search, leading to the grim uncovering of the bodies wrapped in sacks.
Following the shocking revelation, Acting Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja disclosed that officers from a nearby police station had been reassigned to facilitate a thorough investigation. Local residents had criticized the police for alleged negligence, citing the close proximity of the quarry and the unresolved missing persons cases reported in the area.
Over the weekend, a joint statement issued by human rights organizations called upon Kenya's security agencies to expedite investigations into all cases of enforced disappearances. Concerns were raised that the bodies found at the quarry could be linked to the reported abductions and arrests of young individuals during recent anti-government demonstrations.