An escaped self-confessed child serial killer who drank the blood of boys he killed was tracked down by villagers who then beat him to death.

Masten Wanjala broke out from custody two days ago but was hunted down by a mob.

The 20-year-old had admitted killing 10 young boys over a five year period that included drugging them and in some instances drinking their blood.

It sparked a police manhunt in Kenya after he went on the run.

According to Kenya’s Standard newspaper, Wanjala went back to his parents’ home in Bungoma town and was strangled by neighbours when they found out he was there.

“We are not sure how he managed to travel all the way from Nairobi to his rural home,” police spokesman Musyoki Mutungi said.

“It is the curious villagers who first identified him and went ahead to kill him even before the police could be informed.”

Police are still carrying out “basic verification” to confirm the body is that of Wanjala’s, which was reportedly identified by his family.

Wanjala had escaped during a morning roll call on Wednesday.

Three officers who were on duty at the time have been charged with aiding the escape of a suspect and negligence.

He posed as a football coach to dupe his victims into following him to secluded areas where he would then attack them, and in some cases take them hostage for money.

He was aged 15 when he killed his first victim, 12-year-old Purity Maweu. The murders took place in Nairobi, as well as in eastern and western Kenya.

Grace Adhiambo’s teenage son’s body was found badly decomposed.

She told the BBC how she would have “loved” to have seen Wanjala taken to court over the murder of Brian, and to explain “why he brutally killed our children and left us with pain”.

In a series of tweets, the Kenyan Directorate of Criminal Investigations – who had previously described Wanjala as a “bloodthirsty vampire” – said:

“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations was determined to ensure that the suspect faces justice in a court of law for each crime that he committed. However, the law of the jungle as applied by irate villagers prevailed.

“Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their innocent children in the hands of the suspect. We reiterate our commitment to ensuring that we continue to serve with Dedication, Care and Integrity.”

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