Five Kenyan police officers went on trial Wednesday, accused of helping a suspected serial killer and 12 others escape from a Nairobi police station, court documents show.
Among those who fled was Collins Jumaisi, who was arrested last month over the murder of at least six women whose bodies were found in plastic bags at an old mine now used as a rubbish dump.
Police said Jumaisi confessed to killing 42 women including his wife, although his lawyer told the court he was tortured into confessing. Prosecutors denied he was mistreated.
The escape of the suspected murderer worried local residents.
According to Kenyan police, initial investigations indicate that an insider assisted in the escape on Tuesday (20/8).
A police report said Jumaisi and 12 Eritrean nationals were found missing from their cells in the morning. They are believed to have escaped by cutting through the wire mesh on their cell windows. Police have launched a manhunt for them.
On Wednesday, prosecutors asked the court to detain the accused police for two weeks to allow officers to complete an investigation into their alleged involvement. (ka/lt)
