The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Monday dismissed claims that the agency made false statements on the identity of the main suspect in the Mukuru Tragedy after the law enforcement agency had earlier in the day narrowed down on Collins Jomaisi Khalisia as the main person of interest in the case which has gripped national headlines.
In a statement, Director of DCI Mohamed Amin called out social media users who claimed that the agency had gotten the names of the suspect wrong and went on to disseminate details of another innocent Kenyan, Jairus Onkundi whom they accused of being the perpetrator.
The DCI boss revealed that the social media speculation had led to an innocent Kenyan graduate fearing for his life.
According to DCI boss Mohammed Amin, the man in question presented himself at DCI headquarters visibly shaken after his photos were circulated on social media, where the motive was to link him to the Mukuru murders.
He further noted that Onkundi aged 24 years left his workplace at Parklands to present himself to the detectives after getting alarmed at the turn of events after family and friends started calling him to find out what was going on.
"According to the complainant, he had received the circulating posts from worried family members and friends while at his workplace in Nairobi forcing him to rush to our offices," read the statement in parts.
Amin emphasised that the careless publication of Onkundi's details put his life at risk. The main fear in this instance, was the possibility of angry Kenyans descending on him based on wrongful links to the Mukuru tragedy.
The top crime buster also revealed that Onkundi was a graduate of the Meru University of Science and Technology boasting a Degree in Computer Science secured in 2023.
Amin assured that Onkundi had received the necessary assistance and assured Kenyans that the victim was not a wanted criminal and DCI was not pursuing him for any reason whatsoever.
On those spreading the misinformation, Amin pinpointed a popular social media user who was accused of posting Jairus Onkundi's details.
"One Francis Gaitho on his X account carelessly and with total disregard to the need to verify information, indicated that there existed no public record of our suspect and went ahead to post the names, images and description of another innocent Kenyan by the name Jairus Onkundi," read part of the statement.
Amin assured Kenyans that investigations were ongoing and were being conducted methodically and thoroughly to ensure the families of the victims get justice.
The main suspect confessed to killing 42 women including his wife and throwing them dismembered in the dumpsite between 2022 and July 11 this year. He was arrested on Monday in Kayole and will be arraigned in court within the next few days.
