Protests have this evening erupted in Githioro Ward, located at the border of Kipipiri and Kinangop Constituencies, after a middle-aged man was found dead inside a cell at Turasha Police Station.
The deceased, identified as Simon Ndubi Irungu, was reportedly arrested earlier today for allegedly operating a bar before the licensed hours.
Police claim that Simon took his own life by hanging himself with his shirt while in custody.
However, angry locals have dismissed the police account, questioning how a man of Simon’s stature could have committed suicide in such a manner.
They further argue that the offense he was arrested for was minor and not severe enough to drive him to suicide, raising suspicions of foul play.
“The police must explain what really happened. Simon was not the kind of person to kill himself over such a small issue,” said one resident.
Simon’s body has since been transferred to the Engineer Hospital Mortuary pending further investigations.
This incident comes just weeks after a woman reportedly miscarried while detained in a Nyandarua police cell, sparking outrage over the treatment of civilians in custody.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has reported a disturbing rise in deaths within police cells.
IPOA Chairperson Isaack Hassan revealed that more than 20 people have died in police custody in the last four months alone, calling for urgent reforms in police detention practices.