Suspect dies by suicide in police cells at Nyeri

An AI ILLUSTRATION/GEMINI

Officials from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority have joined a probe into an incident in which a defilement suspect was found dead after a suspected suicide at police cells in Nyeri.

Police said the victim, identified as Lawrence Wangai, 47, died in the cell’s bathroom on the afternoon of February 15, 2026.

IPOA was informed after the incident and announced that it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

There were 14 suspects in custody at the time of the incident.

The motive was not immediately known.

According to police, the victim had requested to be escorted to the washroom to take a bath and later turned on the water tap, which he left running continuously.

Out of curiosity, the duty officer called out to the victim to return to the cells, but there was no response, prompting him to force his way into the bathroom.

Police said the suspect was then found dead after allegedly hanging himself using a jacket string tied to the toilet grills.

The scene was processed after IPOA officials were informed, and the body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy.

IPOA is mandated by law to investigate such deaths and has in the past blamed some police officers for deaths of suspects in custody.

Meanwhile, police in Githurai Mwiki, Kiambu County, are investigating an incident in which a 25-year-old man was found dead after electrocution.

Police said Julius Gitau was repairing his television aerial on his rented balcony when he touched a live wire.

He was thrown from the second-floor balcony and fell onto the road, sustaining serious head injuries and burns to the hand and abdomen. He was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A team of detectives visited the scene as part of the investigation.

Officials have blamed illegal power connections and the use of unqualified technicians for such deaths.

Cases of electrocution have been on the rise in both rural and urban areas amid efforts to address the trend.

Separately, police in Karungu, Migori County, are investigating an incident in which nine cows were found with serious cuts on their tails after an attack by unknown assailants.

The owner of the cows told police they were attacked for unclear reasons.

A veterinary officer attended to the animals as investigations continue following the Sunday incident.