3 police officers in Kenya arrested for escape of child serial killer

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Three police officers in Kenya were arrested Thursday for allegedly aiding the escape of a confessed serial killer.

Masten Wanjala Milimu confessed to killing 10 children but escaped Wednesday, days after leading homicide detectives to four crime scenes where some of the murders occurred.

Police said constables Boniface Mutuma and Precious Mwende, and inspector Philip Mbithi were being held and were soon to make a court appearance.

The officers were on duty the day Milimu escaped from the Jogoo Road Police Station.

Police said the officers will be charged with aiding the escape of a suspect and neglect of official duty.

Authorities confirmed to reporters that Milimu, 20, escaped either late Tuesday or early Wednesday from the station in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. He was waiting to face more than 10 murder counts.

It is still unclear how Milimu escaped but police, led by Nairobi police boss James Mugera, said officials have cast their dragnet in major cities in search of the killer.

Milimu was to appear for a hearing Wednesday, according to police, who said officials have linked him to 14 murders that took place in western Kenya in July.

He told police that almost all his victims were boys, who he drugged and often drank their blood.

Five bodies have so far been recovered.​​​​​​​