Kware Dumpsite Volunteers Allege Intimidation By DCI As They Demand Resumption Of Body Retrieval

• Those who assisted in the body retrieval at the Kware dumpsite are now claiming they have received threats from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations
• They have expressed fear due to calls they allegedly received from Directorate of Criminal Investigations detectives
• The bereaved families echoed the volunteers' concerns, urging the government to allow the body retrieval process to continue

Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

Nairobi: Kware dumpsite search mission personnel have alleged that they are facing intense intimidation and threats from Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives.

Did Kware body retrieval stop?

Led by Joseph Waweru and several human rights activists, the team alleged they are living in fear due to constant calls from unknown numbers they believe are from state operatives.

“One of us was recently arrested by the DCI and was later released. We have also been receiving phone calls as part of an intimidation scheme, warning us to stay away from the dumpsite,” he said.

While speaking at the Mukuru Community Justice Centre in Nairobi on Friday, August 30, Waweru further demanded the resumption of body retrieval efforts at the Kware dumpsite.

He also claimed that their removal from the dumpsite was a ploy to conceal more body parts in the quarry.

The young man who participated in the volunteer effort that uncovered several body parts, mostly of women, expressed feeling unsafe due to recent developments going on in his life.

The activists' concerns were echoed by bereaved families, who said they were stranded and unable to continue with the burial process due to missing body parts and the state's suspension of the recovery effort.

What happened to Mukuru killings suspect?

This development comes days after Collins Jumaisi, the prime suspect in the Mukuru killings, escaped from police custody.

The suspected serial killer escaped from Gigiri Police Station along with 12 other suspects.

According to a police report obtained by TUKO.co.ke, the 12 Eritreans in Jumaisi's cell had been detained at the station for illegal immigration.

In the Tuesday, August 20 incident, the officer in charge, Police Constable Gerald Mutuku, was making routine visits to the cells with the canteen manager to serve breakfast to the suspects.

Mutuku opened the cell door and discovered the 13 suspects had escaped by cutting the wire mesh at the basking bay and scaling the perimeter wall.

Senior police officers, including the sub-county police commander and sub-county criminal investigation officer (SCCIO), visited the scene

What else you need to know about Mukuru killings

• The DCI published an announcement on their social media platforms asking the public to help locate Jumaisi.
• Following Jumaisi's escape, the Giigiri police station was declared a crime scene, and investigations are underway.
• The five police officers arrested in connection with the escape of Jumaisi, were released on a KSh 200,000 bond each.

Story by Valary Akoth, TUKO.co.ke correspondent.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.