Probe underway after suspect dies in Kiambu cell

A team is investigating an incident in which a 23-year-old suspect died inside police cells at Kiambu Police Station.

Officials from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority said they had been informed of the incident, which occurred on May 21, 2026.

The deceased, identified as Brian Njung’e, had earlier been brought to the station by members of the public over allegations of stealing.

Police said the incident was discovered during a routine inspection by officers on duty.

The officers reportedly found the suspect inside the male cells after he had allegedly hanged himself using a piece of mattress cover.

Senior officers, including the County Criminal Investigations Officer for Kiambu, the Sub-County Police Commander for Kiambu East and the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer, visited the scene and confirmed the incident.

Scenes of Crime personnel processed and documented the scene before the body was moved to Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary awaiting an autopsy.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

A team of human rights activists visited the station and demanded an explanation over the death. Police said they would cooperate with investigations ahead of the planned autopsy.

Meanwhile, police in Embu are investigating a suspected suicide and arson incident reported in Gataka village in Mbeere South Sub-County.

Police officers who responded to the scene found the body of 33-year-old Emilio Musangi Ndaru hanging from a clothesline post outside his house.

Investigators said the deceased is suspected to have died during the night at an unknown time.

Police also said the deceased had allegedly set fire to clothes and bedding inside the house under unclear circumstances before the incident.

The scene was processed and photographed before the body was moved to Embu Level 5 Hospital mortuary awaiting a postmortem examination.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

In Gatundu Township, a man died after allegedly being hit on the head with a stone during an altercation outside a bar.

Police said the incident was reported at Gatundu Police Station on May 21, 2026, after the victim, identified as 34-year-old Stanley Kimani Njoroge, died while undergoing treatment at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital.

According to investigators, the assault occurred on the night of May 19, 2026, at about 9 pm outside Ciamurugu Bar following an altercation.

Witnesses, including nearby business owners and the deceased’s cousin Samuel Muria Kahuya, told police the victim was struck on the head with a stone by a suspect who remains at large.

Officers from the police station and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Gatundu South visited the scene and found blood stains at the location of the attack.

Police said the deceased had initially reported the assault before seeking treatment at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital. He was later referred to St. Jude Hospital, where he spent the night before being taken to Thika for a head scan and imaging.

He was later returned to Gatundu Level 5 Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment.

The body was moved to the hospital mortuary awaiting a postmortem examination as police launched a search for the suspect.