Kware murders: Suspect Collins Jumaisi Khalusha tells court he was molested, tortured by police to confess

Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, who is suspected of killing at least 42 women and dismembering their bodies before dumping them at a quarry in Kware area of Embakasi South, has alleged police brutality following his arrest on Monday.

Khalusha, through his lawyer John Maina Ndegwa, claimed he was tortured into making the confession that he murdered the women, while pleading with the court to grant him access to medical care.

“My client, as he sits there, is in dire need of urgent medical attention…for reasons that the period under detention, he was subjected to molestation, torture and the confession that the public is being treated to having murdered 42 persons is laughable,” argued Ndegwa before the Makadara Law Courts.

“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.”

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) however rubbished the abuse allegations, noting that only one police officer was assigned to the suspect to record his statement.

The DCI sought to have Khalusha detained for 30 days pending the conclusion of the probe into the murders, saying if released he is likely to continue with the criminal activities.

The investigative agency also told the court that they need more time to trace witnesses and families of the victims who are scattered across the country, and that they will also need to DNA sampling, an identification parade, as well as subject the suspect to mental assessment.

The defense however opposed this, instead urging the court to grant the police only 14 days to detain the suspect as investigations continue.

“Much of what has been adduced before this court is just mere speculation and apprehension, and so my client still has a right to bail. There is nothing concrete that has been tabled before this court,” argued lawyer Ndegwa.

“Whereas the IO and prosecution have the right to conduct investigations, my client under Article 50 has a right of fair trial and they cannot have all the time they wish in this world. We will not be conceding to the 30 days, we will be asking for 14 days.”

Principle Magistrate Irene Gichobi however allowed the DCI to detain the suspect at any police station for the requested 30 days in order to complete investigations.