The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Monday refuted claims that it made false statements about the identity of the main suspect in the Mukuru Tragedy. Earlier, the DCI had identified Collins Jomaisi Khalisia as the primary suspect, causing national uproar.
In a statement, DCI Director Mohamed Amin condemned social media users who wrongly accused an innocent Kenyan, Jairus Onkundi, of being the perpetrator. This false information led Onkundi, a recent graduate, to fear for his life.
Amin said Onkundi, 24, came to the DCI headquarters, visibly distressed, after his photos were circulated online. He left his workplace in Parklands and reported to the DCI after receiving worried calls from family and friends.
Jairus Onkundi, former Meru University student
“Onkundi received the circulating posts from concerned relatives and friends while at work, prompting him to rush to our offices,” said Amin.
Amin stressed that the careless publication of Onkundi’s details endangered his life, potentially inciting public anger against him due to the wrongful links to the Mukuru tragedy.
Onkundi, a Meru University of Science and Technology graduate with a degree in Computer Science, received support from the DCI. Amin assured the public that Onkundi is not a suspect and the DCI is not pursuing him.
Amin pointed out that a popular social media user, Francis Gaitho, had carelessly posted Onkundi’s details without verifying the information.
“Francis Gaitho, on his X account, wrongly indicated that there was no public record of our suspect and posted details of another innocent Kenyan, Jairus Onkundi,” the statement read.
Amin assured Kenyans that the investigation is ongoing and thorough to ensure justice for the victims’ families. The main suspect, Collins Jomaisi Khalisia, confessed to killing 42 women, including his wife, and was arrested in Kayole on Monday. He will be arraigned in court soon.
