Kenyan serial killer suspect confesses to murdering 42 women, bodies found

A suspected serial killer has been arrested in Kenya following the discovery of several bodies at a quarry in Nairobi. Police reported on Monday that the suspect had confessed to killing 42 women, including his wife.

Bodies discovered in quarry

Collins Jumaisi, a 33-year-old resident near the quarry in the Mukuru neighborhood, was apprehended early on Monday. Acting head of police, Douglas Kanja Kirocho, stated that nine bodies had been recovered from the quarry so far.

“It is crystallizing that we are dealing with a serial killer, a psychopathic serial killer who has no respect for human life,” said Amin Mohamed, the head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Jumaisi confessed to luring and killing 42 women and dumping their remains at the quarry, Mohamed added. The murders date back to 2022, beginning with Jumaisi’s wife, with the most recent occurring on July 11.

At Jumaisi’s home, police found several mobile phones, identity cards, a machete believed to have been used to dismember the victims, industrial rubber gloves, rolls of sellotape, and a dozen nylon sacks similar to those in which the victims were found.

Community shocked by serial murders in Kenya

Over the weekend, huge crowds gathered to watch as the remains, many of which were dismembered, were retrieved from the quarry. Some locals clashed with the police, fueled by rumors that the bodies were linked to alleged abductions of young protesters by security forces during recent street demonstrations.

Police have so far given no indication that the remains found are related to the protests.

A government spokesperson shared a police statement on X on Friday, saying that the authorities were analyzing samples to identify the deceased and that investigations were underway.

An activist with the Mukuru Community Justice Centre said most of the remains were decomposed, indicating they had been there for some time.

Earlier this month, President William Ruto said reports of abductions by state agents were regrettable and that any officers found responsible would be held accountable. Kenya’s police chief, Japhet Koome, resigned on Friday.