A 21-year-old man who was arrested in Kisumu for possessing an AK-47 rifle has been found dead inside the Kisumu Central Police Station cells. The deceased, identified as Kelvin Oduor, reportedly died by suicide while in custody, raising questions over the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to police reports, officers on duty discovered Oduor’s body hanging in one of the bathrooms at around 6 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025, as they prepared to hand over to the incoming shift. Constables assigned to the report office and cell sentry noticed Oduor’s absence among the inmates and, upon searching, found his body.
Oduor had been arrested on Monday, October 27, following a shootout along St. Otieno Oyoo Street near Patel Sarmaj Temple. During the arrest, police recovered an AK-47 rifle with serial number 94883, loaded with five rounds of 7.2 mm ammunition and one spent cartridge. The firearm was suspected to have been used in a series of robbery incidents across Kisumu.
Police indicated that the suspect was being detained under a 14-day custodial order to allow for further investigations into robbery with violence cases linked to him. However, his sudden death has prompted investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which has already dispatched a team to examine the scene and record statements from officers.
IPOA’s Nyanza Regional Coordinator confirmed that preliminary findings indicate the deceased had no identification documents at the time of his arrest. Authorities are now working to trace his relatives for notification. The oversight body emphasized that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine whether there was any foul play or negligence involved.
Meanwhile, police at Kisumu Central have maintained that the incident appears to be a suicide but have pledged full cooperation with IPOA and other agencies to ensure transparency. The body of the deceased was moved to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary pending a postmortem examination.
Oduor’s death adds to growing public concern about safety and accountability within police custody facilities in Kenya. IPOA’s findings are expected to shed light on the incident and determine the next course of action.
