DNA tests identify five women in Kware dumpsite murders as suspect remains on the run
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told Parliament, in response to Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba’s question, that the case had not stalled despite claims following the main suspect’s escape from custody.
DNA analysis on body parts recovered from the Kware dumpsite has led to the positive identification of five victims: Josephine Mulongo Owino, Roseline Moth Ogongo, Wilkistar Ajiambo Ososo, Christine Mwende Mathina, and Rosemary Ajiambo.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed this in Parliament while responding to a question from Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba. The MP had sought clarification amid claims that the case had stalled following the escape of the main suspect from custody.
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Wamuchomba requested a report on the total number of female bodies recovered from the Kware dumpsite in Embakasi, including updates on identifications made through forensic or DNA analysis.
She also asked the ministry to confirm whether investigations were still ongoing, outline steps taken by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to advance the case, locate the suspect, identify other perpetrators, and detail any new policies or interventions aimed at preventing similar abductions and femicides.
Murkomen told MPs: "Following public reports regarding the mysterious disappearance of people, the National Police Service commenced investigations into the matter. The Homicide Unit was deployed to a quarry dumping site in Embakasi after suspected luggage-wrapped sacks were sighted floating in stagnant quarry waters. Upon retrieval, the sacks were found to contain human remains. The operation, which spanned several days, resulted in the recovery of 17 packages containing dismembered human body parts. Most of the recovered bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition and were preserved at the City Mortuary, where post-mortem examinations were conducted on the body parts."
Forensic analysis
He said Collins Jumaisi Khalusha was identified through forensic analysis as the prime suspect in the murders.
Khalusha was arraigned before the Makadara Law Courts under Criminal Misc. Application No. E861/2024 and detained for 30 days pending investigations at Gigiri Police Station.
However, on August 20, 2024, Khalusha escaped from custody at Gigiri Police Station.
"A warrant of arrest was issued against him," Murkomen said, adding that it remains in force. "The Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) launched an independent inquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding the escape, and investigations are ongoing. Multi-agency operations are in progress to trace and apprehend the suspect so that he can be charged before a court of law."
The CS added that the DCI, together with other security agencies, is actively pursuing the suspect.
He also noted that the National Police Service is implementing new policy directives to enhance public safety and improve accountability in handling cases such as abductions and femicides.
These measures include boosting forensic and cybercrime investigation capacity, training detectives on handling gender-based violence and abduction cases, expanding gender desks, providing 24-hour helplines, linking victims and families to psychosocial and legal support, strengthening Nyumba Kumi initiatives, and conducting regular community safety awareness forums.
MP Wamuchomba, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the CS’s response, saying she would not remain silent while he failed to give people hope about catching the suspect, three months after his escape.
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