Livestock Theft Suspect Found Dead in Police Cell in Kisumu County
A livestock theft suspect has been found dead in a police cell in Kisumu County. The incident occurred on Friday morning, with officers on duty reporting that they were alerted by a commotion coming from the cells. Upon investigation, they discovered that the suspect had hanged himself using a vest tied to the metal grill of the cell door at Katito Police Station in Nyakach Sub County.
Police reports indicate that the man had been arrested earlier the same morning by the area chief over allegations of stock theft and was booked at the station under OB 09/13/06/2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Unfortunately, despite immediate efforts by officers to rescue him, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Nyakach, as well as officers from Muhoroni and Kisumu’s Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) unit, visited the station to document and process the scene.
The deceased's body has since been preserved, pending further investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Similar Case in Siaya County
This incident follows another disturbing case reported just days earlier at Ukwala Police Station in Siaya County, where a suspect identified as Joseph Otieno Oduor alias Sande, aged 26, was found dead in the cell’s toilet in a suspected suicide.
Police said the man had been arrested after a court warrant was issued for a defilement case, and that he used his own shirt to hang himself from a metal water pipe. According to family members, the deceased had previously attempted suicide, raising concerns about his mental health.
His body was moved to the mortuary as investigations continue.
Rising Concerns Over Deaths in Police Custody
These cases come amid increasing scrutiny over deaths occurring inside police stations. Notably, the recent death of teacher Albert Ojwang at the Kisumu Central Police Station has also raised alarm among human rights groups and the public.
The IPOA has confirmed it is actively investigating 18 cases of deaths in police custody reported between February 2025 and June 2025, with calls growing louder for police accountability and improved handling of vulnerable suspects.
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