21‑year-old man dies in Kisumu Police Station Cell in suspected suicide

21-Year-Old Man Dies in Kisumu Police Station Cell in Suspected Suicide
A 21-year-old man was found dead inside a police cell at Kondele Police Station in Kisumu on Tuesday, in an incident authorities are investigating as a suspected suicide. The young man had been arrested earlier in the day and was being held at the station before his lifeless body was discovered by officers during a routine check.
According to a police report, the deceased was found hanging from a piece of fabric inside the cell. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police say no foul play is immediately suspected, and the matter has been classified as an apparent suicide pending a full investigation and autopsy.
The death has drawn concern from local human rights groups and community members, who are calling for a thorough and transparent inquest into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Families and the public deserve clear answers whenever a life is lost in state custody, said a representative from a Kisumu-based civil society organization. We urge the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to take up this matter.
Kisumu County Police Commander Gregory Letipila confirmed the incident and assured the public that due process will be followed. We have registered the case and notified the next of kin. A post-mortem will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death, he stated. The tragic event adds to growing scrutiny over conditions and procedures within police custody facilities in the region