ESCAPE

3 police officers arrested over escape of suspected serial child killer Masten Wanjala from cells

Jogoo Road police station OCS among those arrested.

In Summary

• Wanjala and his cousin were arrested over the killings.

• Wanjala said he lured his victims and killed them before dumping the bodies at various places after posing as a football coach.

Masten Milimo Wanjala, the suspect behind serial killings of at least 12 children.
Masten Milimo Wanjala, the suspect behind serial killings of at least 12 children.
Image: HANDOUT

At least three police officers were on Wednesday evening arrested and locked up in cells over the escape of suspected child serial killer Masten Wanjala.

The officers included the Jogoo Road police station deputy Officer Commanding Station and two others who were on duty.

They are likely to be produced in court on Thursday with charges of aiding the escape of the suspect from lawful custody and negligence of duties.

They were picked up from their work station and taken to Nairobi Area command for grilling before being detained at Capitol Hill cells ahead of the arraignment.

At least 20 people were questioned over the escape of Wanjala.

They included some of the suspects who were in custody and police officers.

Police launched a hunt on the suspect after he escaped from custody in unclear circumstances.

Wanjala escaped from Jogoo Road Police Station on Wednesday morning.

Authorities said he was expected in court for a mention into some of his probe cases when the incident happened.

Officials who were on duty said they realised Wanjala was missing at 7am as they were conducting a roll call.

He is said to have escaped at unknown time on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Wanjala was yet to take formal plea in the murder probe.

Police said they had so far linked him to up to 14 murder incidents spanning from Nairobi, Machakos and Western Kenya.

He had confessed to killing 12 children when he was first arrested in July this year.

Wanjala claims he kidnapped and killed at least 12 children in four years in Nairobi, Machakos and Bungoma counties.

So far, five bodies have been recovered.

Wanjala and his cousin were arrested over the killings.

Wanjala said he lured his victims and killed them before dumping the bodies at various places after posing as a football coach.

He was arrested in July after he tried to obtain money from parents of one of the children he is suspected to have abducted and killed.

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