How Kalombotole's case echoes mysterious escape of Khalusha

Kennedy Kalombotole, a suspect in the murder of a patient at KNH arrives at Kilimani Police Station on July 18,2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard] The mystery surrounding the murder of Edward Maingi Ndegwa in Kenyatta National Hospital and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) placing of Kennedy Kalombolote, yet another patient in the same Ward 7B where the victim was admitted, remains deep. As questions arise on the arrest of Kalombolote, who is expected to be arraigned in court on Monday, the move by DCI evokes memories of Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, yet another mysterious man who was identified as the prime suspect behind the murders of the women found at the Kware dumpsite in Mukuru kwa Njenga, Embakasi South Constituency last year. Khalush, 33, had allegedly killed 42 women between 2022 and July 11, 2024. Police claimed he disappeared in thin air at Gigiri Police Station after enjoying breakfast in his cell on August 20, weeks after his arrest. DCI Director Mohamed Amin had stated that Khalusha's first victim was his wife, Imelda Judith Khalenya, whom he allegedly strangled and dismembered before dumping her remains at the dumpsite where 13 other bodies were found and taken to Nairobi Funeral Home (formerly City Mortuary) for storage and postmortem. Amin said on July 15 that Khalusha allegedly confessed to killing 42 women between 2022 and July 11, 2024, when he murdered his last victim. "The suspect admitted to luring, killing, and disposing of 42 female bodies at a dump site. All were murdered between 2022 and July 11, 2024," Amin said. "The suspect claimed his first victim was his wife, Imelda Judith Khalenya, whom he strangled, dismembered, and disposed of at the same site. All his victims were murdered in a similar fashion." Khalusha was arrested and locked alone in his cell at Gigiri Police Station where he is said to have disappeared. "He had breakfast just like the other suspects after the head count, which occurs daily between 5am and 6am," a police officer involved in the investigation told The Saturday Standard then. "He had time and even talked to the police. He had his breakfast alone since no one was there to monitor him," an officer familiar with the investigation said. There were two police officers on duty-the cell sentry and the duty officer who are now among other officers under investigation over claims of aiding the suspects to escape. Collins Jumaisi Khalusha. [File, Standard] After his disappearance from police custody, the DCI urged anyone with information on Khalusha's location to report it confidentially or anonymously through the hotline 0800722203, or the police hotlines 999, 911, and 112. Tips can also be reported at any police station nationwide. The DCI also offered a cash reward for information leading to his re-arrest. The suspect whose whereabouts are unknown, hails from Shiru Sub-location, Shaviringa location, Hamisi sub-county in Vihiga county. Khalusha's disappearance occurred after 12 Eritreans who were in custody mysteriously left Gigiri Police Station leading to a bitter argument between the officers, which created a security lapse, source claimed. Only nine of the 42 victims have been identified so far. Despite Khalusha's detailed confession, no other suspects have been arrested. Civil society groups say this is not the work of one man. Rather, it reflects deep systemic failure-neglect by the state and a broken justice system that leaves the most vulnerable unprotected. Is Kennedy Kalombolote yet another Collins Jumaisi Khalusha in placement? Only time will tell.

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