Two more deaths in police custody fuel outrage in Kakamega, Murang’a

Deaths in police custody continue to shock the nation, as fresh cases have emerged in Kakamega and Murang’a counties, barely two months after the death of blogger Albert Ojwang at Nairobi’s Central Police Station sparked widespread anger.

In five days, two men lost their lives inside police stations; one in Navakholo, Kakamega County, and the other at Kenol Police Station in Murang’a as reported by Taifa Leo.

These incidents come amid reports that over 20 Kenyans died in police custody between June 6 and June 23, 2025, fueling nationwide protests. Security officers have faced criticism for the fatalities.

The family of 33-year-old Raymond Nachibati from Kakamega has appealed to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate after he died in police custody shortly following his arrest over the weekend.

Nachibati was arrested on Saturday afternoon, together with two others, after a fight erupted at Malaha Market in Navakholo.

Later that day, his body was found hanging inside a cell at Nang’anda Police Station. His body is currently held at Kakamega County Hospital mortuary.

In Murang’a, the circumstances around the death of a man who entered Kenol Police Station on August 5 remain unclear.

South Murang’a Police Commander Charity Karimi said investigations are ongoing, particularly following claims that the man might have been killed inside the station.

This incident comes just five months after Charles Gathungu, 53, died inside Kiria-ini Police Station in Murang’a.

Gathungu was arrested at a bar with his girlfriend and accused of having a relationship with a wealthy man’s daughter. Police say he hanged himself with his shirt a few hours after being locked up.

Gathungu’s widow, Milkah Wambui, 42, disputed the arrest, stating that no law prohibits two consenting adults of opposite sexes from having a relationship.

“I was aware of my husband’s relationship with that woman. What crime is there? Police called me saying my husband was very sick and rushed to Kiria-ini Hospital,” she said as quoted by Taifa Leo.

Hospital authorities denied receiving Gathungu as a patient, stating he was brought dead in a police vehicle. To date, the family has not found justice.

Regarding the Kakamega case, Navakholo Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Hassan said the deceased used a jacket cord to hang himself in custody.

“The suspect, known as Nachibati, was arrested and held at Budonga Police Station. Unfortunately, he used the cord from his jacket to commit suicide. He appeared stressed and intoxicated. We never expected he would take his life,” Mohammed said.

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He added that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are working with IPOA to investigate the death.

“He was brought to the station at 3 pm but was found dead within two hours. Investigations at the scene are ongoing,” he said.

According to police, Nachibati was arrested after fighting with his wife at the market and taken to the station for questioning.

His brothers, Sylvanus Waswa and Ibrahim Barasa, who went to the police station seeking his release, were shocked to see his body hanging inside the cell.

“He was arrested along with his wife and her brother for fighting in the market. The two were not in the cell, yet our brother’s body was hanging there. We suspect something,” Waswa said.

The family insists they will not proceed with the burial until the police explain what caused his death.

His father, Anderson Makokha, questioned why his son was left alone in the cell despite being arrested with others. He also demanded to know where the cord used to hang himself came from.

“I was shocked when I was told my son had been arrested for fighting with his wife. This is something we could have resolved at home,” he said.