Police in Homa Bay have launched investigations into the death of a 24-year-old man, who allegedly died by suicide inside a police cell shortly after arrest.
County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem said the deceased, Wycliffe Omondi, had been arrested on suspicion of stock theft following the reported loss of a cow in Central Kochia Ward.
Koilem said the suspect was arrested on Monday while allegedly driving the stolen animal towards Kendu Bay, and he was held at Ngegu Police Station in Rangwe Subcounty.
According to the police commander, officers on duty, including the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and the cell sentry, discovered the deceased body hanging by the ventilator during routine checks shortly after his arrest.
Koilem said Omondi took his own life by hanging himself using shoelaces tied to ventilation openings in the cell.
“It is unfortunate that shortly after his arrest, he was found to have hanged himself using shoelaces in the ventilator holes,” Koilem stated.
He noted that the suspect had been alone in the cell at the time of the incident, adding it is still unclear how the deceased obtained the shoelaces.
He suspected he may have accessed the laces when being served food.
The matter has since been reported to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is expected to conduct an independent investigation. The deceased’s family has also been notified.
The police commander added that investigations are also ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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