A suspected serial killer accused of killing dozens of young Kenyan women and dumping their bodies in a rubbish tip has escaped in a mass jail break.
Collins Jumaisi Khalusha was being held in a police cell in Nairobi when he and 12 Eritrean inmates cut their way through wire mesh in the early hours of Tuesday.
The 33-year-old, who has been described by police as a “vampire” and a “psychopath”, was arrested last month when bodies of young women were found in a disused quarry.
Police allege Jumaisi admitted to killing 42 women including his wife, but his lawyer told a court he was tortured into making a confession. Prosecutors deny he had been mistreated.
A magistrate last week ordered Jumaisi to remain in custody for 30 days while police continued their investigations.
Resila Onyango, a spokeswoman for Kenyan police, said: “Investigations have been launched and a major security operation is under way to get the 13 suspects.”
Officers discovered the breakout when they made a routine visit to the cells at around 5am (3am BST) to serve breakfast.
The wire had been cut in a “basking bay” where detainees gain access to fresh air and the escapees had scaled a perimeter wall.
