Kware murder suspect, 12 Eritreans escape from police custody in Gigiri

The main suspect in the heinous murders of at least 42 women whose bodies were dumped in the Kware area of Embakasi, has escaped from Nairobi's Gigiri Police Station.

Collins Jumaisi who initially confessed to the murder charges which were later reduced to six, is among the 13 suspects who escaped from the police station at around 3am on Tuesday.

The 12 others who escaped custody are Eritreans detained at the police station for overstaying in the country illegally.

Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei confirmed the incident, saying a hunt had been launched on the suspects.

“We are pursuing the matter for action,” Mr Bungei said.

A police report filed at the station under OB 05/20/08/2024 indicated that the matter was reported by police officers Evans Kipkirui and Gerald Mutuku who were manning the cells.

The officers said they had made their routine visit to the cells with the canteen manager to serve the inmates with breakfast when they discovered that over a dozen of the suspects had escaped.

They said that when they opened the cells door, they were shocked to discover that the 13 suspects had escaped by cutting the wire mesh at the basking bay.

The Sub-County Police Commander, Sub-County Criminal Investigation Officer (SCCIO), and duty officer Gigiri, visited the scene and have since launched investigations to locate the suspects.

Mr Jumaisi was in the police cells, waiting to be arraigned in court for the plea hearing on August 23, 2024.

Mr Jumaisi and other two suspects in the Kware women killings, were produced before Makadara Chief Magistrate Irine Gichobi, where the prosecution asked the court to allow them to detain the three for 21 days.

After hearing submissions from both parties, the court ruled that Mr Jumaisi, the main suspect, should be remanded in custody at Gigiri Police Station for a further seven(7) days.

The other two accused, Mr Amos Momanyi and Mr Moses Ogembo, were remanded in custody at Muthaiga police station for seven(7) days until August 26, 2024, when the case will be mentioned.