Kenyans were, on July 12, 2024, treated to the devastating news that six bodies had been retrieved from a quarry pit in Kware, Mukuru kwa Njenga slums in Nairobi County.
The six bodies were allegedly chopped into pieces and put in sacks.
"Bodies being retrieved from quarry pit opposite Kware police station by youths. The police are on site as more bodies are being retrieved. Other bodies are in sacks chopped into pieces so far six bodies have been retrieved," the Mukuru Community Justice Centre stated.
The discovery created tension in the country over the fear that a serial killer was on the loose. It also brought up previous instances where persons were arrested over claims of being serial killers.
In this article, we outline five individuals linked to devastating murders in the country:
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Masten Wanjala
In October 2021, Masten Wanjala, a confessed serial killer, was arrested and reportedly led detectives to a thicket near the Kenya School of Government in Kabete, where they discovered the decomposing bodies of two minors.
Media reports indicate that Wanjala documented all the gruesome murders he allegedly committed, adding that in some instances, he reportedly sucked blood from his victims.
He was linked to the death of at least 12 children.
Wanjala was detained at Jogoo Road police station pending his appearance but escaped under unclear circumstances.
Following his escape, he moved to his rural home in Bungoma but was reportedly lynched by villagers.
Philip Onyancha
In 2009, Onyancha made headlines in the country after he allegedly confessed to murdering 19 people, most of whom were women.
He alleged that while he was in school, he was recruited into a cult, with one of his teachers reportedly directing him to kill 100 people and drink their blood to succeed in life.
Following his arrest, he reportedly led detectives to several sites where he's said to have disposed of the bodies. Some of the bodies were retrieved.
He was sent to Kamiti Maximum Prison, where he's currently detained.
Geoffrey Matheri
Matheri was linked to a series of devastating murders in Naivasha town, earning him the nickname 'Naivasha Vampire'.
Matheri claimed a church leader recruited him to kill and sell body parts.
He reportedly confessed to investigators that he had abducted, raped, and sucked blood from some of his female victims.
He was, however, acquitted of murder charges, with the court citing lack of solid evidence.
The court, however, found him guilty of kidnapping and sentenced him to four years, which he served at the Naivasha Maximum Security Prison.
Collins Jumaisi
On July 15 2024, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Collins Jomaisi, the prime suspect in the Kware murders.
Speaking during a media briefing, DCI boss Mohamed Amin claimed that Collins, a 33-year-old, was arrested at Soweto in Kayole Sub-county and allegedly confessed to killing 42 women, including his wife, between 2022 and July 11, 2024.
"The suspect was arrested at Soweto in Kayole Sub-County this morning at around 3:00 a.m. in a joint operation by the DCI and NPS officers. The suspect confessed to have lured, killed, and disposed of 42 female bodies at the dumping site all murdered between 2022 and as recent as Thursday, July 11, 2024," Amin said part.
According to the DCI, the suspect allegedly divulged that he became a serial killer out of anger after he started a business for his wife. Still, she reportedly failed to sustain it, leading to its closure. He allegedly helped her begin another business, but it also collapsed, after which he allegedly killed his wife.
"Apparently he is a person full of vengeance and hatred and he had a special predilection for special women according to what he told us," the DCI said.
