Another death in police custody has reignited public concern over the safety and conditions of detainees in Kenya’s holding cells.
A man arrested on suspicion of livestock theft has died while in custody at the Katito Police Station in Kisumu. Police at the station claim the suspect took his own life by using his vest to hang himself on the door of his solitary cell. The incident reportedly occurred around 10:00 a.m. on June 13, after officers were drawn to a commotion from the cell.
Authorities say they found the suspect unresponsive and moved his body to the Nyando Morgue, pending investigations. But the case has stirred fresh scrutiny not just because of the loss of life, but also because it follows a disturbing pattern.
Just a day earlier, on June 12, another suspect died under similar circumstances at the Ukwala Police Station in Siaya County. The 26-year-old man, who had been arrested on defilement charges following a court-issued warrant, was allegedly found hanging in the station’s toilet, using his shirt tied to a metal pipe.
While police in both cases have cited suicide, human rights groups and members of the public are increasingly skeptical. The frequency of such incidents often involving suspects with no prior signs of suicidal ideation has prompted calls for deeper investigations and independent oversight.
These two incidents come in the wake of another high-profile case: the controversial death of teacher and social media personality Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody at the Central Police Station. Police initially described his death as suicide, but inconsistencies and public pressure have fueled growing demands for transparency and justice.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and civil society organizations have previously raised alarms about systemic issues in police detention facilities, including lack of mental health care, poor oversight, and alleged brutality. With three reported deaths in less than a week, those concerns now feel more urgent than ever.
As investigations continue, questions remain: Are these isolated tragedies or signs of a deeper problem in the country’s custodial system?
For the families left behind, answers can’t come soon enough. And for a nation that upholds the rule of law, justice must extend beyond the courtroom into every holding cell and every corner of the criminal justice system.
