Kenya Tries to Catch a Serial Killer with a 1 Million Shilling Reward

Tue Oct 21 2025 01:07:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

After rising public anger over the escape of a suspected serial killer, the Kenyan police offer a reward to find him. This article explores the intense situation surrounding the fugitive and the community's response.

Kenyan police have offered a 1 million shilling reward for information leading to the arrest of Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, a suspected serial killer who escaped from custody over a year ago. Khalusha is accused of murdering over 40 women, and his escape has sparked outrage as many believe the police have failed to adequately pursue him. Activists criticize the authorities, declaring their efforts as insufficient after a recent documentary highlighted the case. The police received backlash for mishandling the situation, fueling public distrust.

Kenyan police have offered a reward of 1 million shillings ($7,700; £5,700) for information leading to the arrest of suspected serial killer Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, more than a year after he escaped from their custody.

Khalusha was the prime suspect in the murder of more than 40 women whose mutilated bodies were discovered in a disused quarry that became a dumpsite in the capital, Nairobi.

Shortly after his arrest, he escaped from custody, along with 12 others, after reportedly cutting through a wire mesh roof and scaling a perimeter wall.

This incident caused outrage, and police are facing renewed backlash over their failure to hunt down Khalusha more than a year later.

Many Kenyans have questioned how he could have escaped on 20 August 2024 from what is regarded as one of the most secure police stations, located near the US embassy and the UN offices in the capital.

Khalid Hussein, an activist who has been following the case closely, stated that the police were not serious about solving the murders of the women they identified as being aged between 18 and 30.

He alleged that some bodies were still inside the quarry pits, and rotting.

Mr. Hussein believes the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced the reward in response to a documentary by the local Citizen TV station about the police's inaction.

In a post on X, the DCI confirmed the reward would be provided to anyone who provides credible information that will assist in the re-arrest of the suspect.

Police also offered a reward last year but did not specify the amount. Several policemen were arrested last year for allegedly aiding Khalusha's escape, but they were later released on bail.

Many Kenyans questioned how officers had failed to detect that bodies were being left in a quarry around 100m from a police station.

Khalusha had reportedly confessed to his crimes but his lawyer later claimed he was tortured to confess.

DCI chief Mohamed Amin characterized him as a psychopathic serial killer who has no respect for human life. He had been set to face murder charges in court before his disappearance.

Last month, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen called the escape regrettable. He expressed hope for Khalusha's arrest.