A growing number of deaths by suicide among suspects in police custody is sparking concern and renewed calls for reform in the handling of detainees. In the latest incident, a 44-year-old man, Ruigi Ndubi, died by suicide inside the Turasha Police Station cells in Kipipiri, Nyandarua County. Ndubi had been arrested for allegedly obstructing police officers while on duty and was reported to be intoxicated at the time of his arrest.
According to police reports, the suspect used his shirt to hang himself from the padlock of the inner cell door. The death was discovered by an officer on duty during a routine check at 12:46 pm. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched a formal investigation, and an autopsy is pending to confirm the exact cause of death.
Ndubi’s case adds to a string of recent deaths under similar circumstances, highlighting what appears to be a disturbing trend in police cells across the country.
Just a day later, another suicide was reported at Kipasi Police Post in Suba North Constituency, Homa Bay County. A 35-year-old fisherman, Calvince Omondi Onditi, was found hanging from the roof of his cell using a pair of trousers. Arrested on allegations of bestiality, Onditi was awaiting transfer to another station when officers discovered his body.
Earlier this month, other similar cases were reported in Kisumu and Siaya counties. On June 13, police at Katito Station found Calvin Omondi Owuor dead, having hanged himself using a vest tied to the cell grill. He was facing allegations of stock theft. On June 10, Joseph Otieno Oduor, 26, died by suicide in a toilet at Ukwala Police Station using his shirt. Oduor had a known history of suicidal behavior and was arrested on a defilement charge.
These incidents underscore a recurring issue of mental health and custodial safety. The common methods using shirts, vests, or trousers as improvised nooses raise questions about how thoroughly suspects are monitored and whether adequate mental health assessments are conducted upon arrest.
The death of teacher Albert Ojwang in Nairobi’s Central Police Station further intensified scrutiny. Although initially reported as a suicide, a postmortem ruled out self-inflicted injuries, leading to murder charges against three police officers and three civilians. This has shaken public confidence and reinforced the need for transparent investigations into custodial deaths.
As IPOA continues to investigate, human rights advocates are urging reforms to improve detainee welfare, including constant surveillance, mental health screenings, and structural redesigns of holding cells to eliminate hanging points. The repeated loss of life behind bars demands immediate attention to prevent further tragedies.
