A serial killer suspected of committing dozens of murders of women and dumping their bodies in garbage has escaped from prison in a mass escape.

Collins Khalusha was being held in a cell in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, when he and 12 Eritrean prisoners forced their way through a wire mesh.

The 33-year-old, described by police as a "vampire" and "psychopath", was arrested last month when the bodies of young women were found in an abandoned quarry.

Suspected serial killer Collins Khalusha 

The police claim that the accused confessed to killing 42 women, including his wife, but his lawyer told the court that he was tortured to make confessions, and prosecutors deny that he was subjected to ill-treatment.

A judge last week ordered him to remain in detention for 30 days while police continued their investigations. Acting Police Chief Gilbert Massingley said: “The escape was most likely carried out with insider assistance.”

He added, "Eight officers who were on duty at the time were suspended and placed in detention," adding that the Internal Affairs Unit was investigating the matter.