The discovery of nine women’s bodies close to an Irish-funded health clinic in Kenya has seen the Tánaiste to cancel his visit.

The bodies were found in plastic bags about 450 metres from the health centre close to Nairobi.

Police have since arrested a man in his 30s in connection with the deaths – and he has since confessed to over 40 murders.

During a subsequent search of his home, police discovered a machete and evidence potentially linking him to the deaths.

SUSPECT IN MUKURU KWA NJENGA MURDERS ARRESTED. pic.twitter.com/MdkTaLzUfP

— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) July 15, 2024

Minister Martin is currently on a four day visit to the Horn of Africa to meet politicians and see first-hand the impact of Irish Aid in the region. 

Newstalk reporter Andrew Lowth is with him and told Breakfast Briefing other details about the case have since emerged. 

“According to police here, he has admitted to murdering over 40 women - including his own wife - since 2022,” he said. 

“He has been held overnight and was due to appear in court. 

“The township of Mukuru is now very much on high alert and there are a lot of tensions there at the moment. 

“So, the decision was made, for security reasons, for the Tánaiste not to visit Mukuru.” 

Collins Jumaisi Khalusha. 17/07/2024. Image: Directorate of Criminal Investigations-Kenya

Minister Martin said the clinic was used by a significant number of women and girls in the local area. 

“We have to await further details and background to this but it’s quite shocking,” he said. 

“One of the strongest contributions we make through our development and humanitarian aid is to support women and young girls in particular - very often in the context of conflict and war - but also in other aspects of women’s health.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs advises people who are visiting Kenya to register with the Irish Embassy beforehand and to exercise  a “high degree of caution”.

Main image: Sacks with human remains are seen after being removed from a quarry in Mukuru Kwa Njenga area in Nairobi, Kenya Saturday, July 13, 2024. Picture by: AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku.