Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris has questioned the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after they produced a suspected serial killer who claimed to have been behind the deaths of 42 women.
In a statement on Monday, July 15, 2024, Passaris expressed her relief that the suspected mastermind behind the killings was arrested but demanded answers on whether the police could have let the killings continue for close to three years.
“Evil surrounds us. As I try to find solace knowing the serial killer has been arrested I have many unanswered questions. Was the first victim who was the wife reported missing,” Passaris quipped.
The legislator challenged the investigative authorities and the police to produce a list of missing persons during the period the murders are reported to have taken place.
DCI missing person reports
“Did the police fail to act and let a serial murderer get away with abusing and killing our women? The police should make public the names of all victims reported missing on their website and social media handles,” she asked.
Passaris observed that the deaths could have been avoided had the police officers in charge of handling missing persons’ reports taken their duties seriously.
“Are you taking reports on missing persons seriously? Or it’s just an OB report? Do you care enough or it’s just statistics? Could we have avoided all these deaths if you never left sight of the prime suspect when he murdered his wife,” the legislator inquired.
She noted that the police reports, the identification and the arrest of the suspected serial killer speak of the inefficiency of the police department and the lack of respect for human life.
“No one vanishes without a trace without family or friends raising concerns, the police should tell us more. Are reports on missing persons taken lightly,” Passaris added.
DCI have identified and arrested a suspected mastermind behind the killing, dismemberment and disposal of the bodies of at least 42 women in a dam in Embakasi’s Pipeline area.
Suspected killer arrested
In a press conference, DCI Director Mohamed Amin said the suspect who has since been identified as Collins Khalisia confessed to carrying out the murders from the year 2022, when his first victim was his wife.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to having killed 42 females between 2022 and as recently as Thursday, July 11, 2024. The suspect alleged that his first victim was his wife, Imelda Khamenya, whose body was dismembered and dumped at the site” Amin said.
Nine bodies have been retrieved from the dam after a woman claimed to have been instructed by a victim in a dream on the location of the bodies.
President William Ruto on Sunday, July 14, 2024, urged the police to expedite the investigation process to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice.