Detectives have arrested the serial killer behind the monstrous murders that have rocked the Mawanga area and its environs in recent days.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspect Evans Michori Kebwaro was smoked out of his hideout yesterday afternoon in Keroka, Kisii County, where he had gone into hiding after detectives launched his manhunt.
Upon his areest, Kebwaro revealed names of five of his accomplices Julius Otieno, 27, Josphat Simiyu, 24, Dennis Mmbolo 25, Isaac Kinyanjui, 18 and Makhoha Wanjala, 25. A team of specialized detectives has already begun stealth operations to ensure the arrest of all the five suspects.
“The sleuths from the elite Crime Research & Intelligence Bureau augmented by their Special Services Unit (SSU) counterparts arrested the mastermind whom they have since established is a jailbird with a criminal past, who has previously been convicted and served sentences in prison.” read part of the statement by the DCI.
The arrest of the prime suspect and his gang comes barely 24 hours after a high-powered security meeting was held in Nakuru led by the cabinet secretary for Interior Dr. Fred Matiang’i, following a presidential order.
Investigations by detectives indicate that Kebwaro is responsible for at least 3 murders committed within Mawanga area and its environs which were reported at Kiugoine police station between June 15 and 24 this year.
All the murders targeted women and were committed during the day, with the victims’ bodies being found in the bedroom after being set ablaze.
“Preliminary investigations show that the bloodthirsty killer would first rape the victims before strangling them and setting their lifeless bodies on fire under a heap of clothes.” said the DCI
One of the erroneous incidents happened on June 14 in Kiamaina area where a woman identified as Grace Wanjiku, 20, was found burnt beyond recognition under a heap of bedding, in a house that had been razed down by a huge fire. Attempts by first responders to extinguish the fire proved futile, until fire engines from the Nakuru City County arrived.
A few days from the incident, a middle-aged woman identified as Susan Wambui was found dead in her bedroom at a house in Kiamaina, after neighbours put off a fire that had engulfed the entire house. Luckily, her 3-year-old baby was rescued from the rubble.
The latest murder incident involved a 23-year-old woman identified as Diana Opicho who was found murdered in cold blood in the same area of Mawanga, with her lifeless body sprawled on the floor of the house.
Her murder sparked online outrage, with Nakuru residents calling for action from the government in order to bring to an end the senseless murders.
The DCI noted that the suspect is an experienced killer and has served time in prison; he even managed to cover his steps over a period of time giving local police who were tracking him a difficult time. it took the skills highly skilled crime busters based at DCI headquarters to resolve the murders leading to the arrest of the alleged killer.
“The monster has confessed to killing 7 people in cold blood and so far, detectives have managed to place him at the scene of three murders through cutting-edge forensic technology.” added the DCI
With the arrest of the mastermind and his cabal of thugs, the DCI assured Nakuru residents of their safety and security, as the agency up scales its surveillance in the city for the remaining pockets of criminals.