A 21-year-old suspect arrested in connection with a botched armed robbery in Kisumu has reportedly died by suicide inside the Kisumu Central Police Station cells.
The deceased, identified as Kelvin Oduor, alias Kevo, is said to have hanged himself using a string resembling a belt inside the cell bathroom early Wednesday morning.
According to a police report, officers discovered Oduor missing during the 6 a.m. roll call. Upon searching the holding area, they found his lifeless body in the toilet.
The suspect had been arrested on Monday for a robbery with violence offence and had been remanded for 14 days pending his next court appearance.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) visited the scene, conducted forensic documentation, and later transferred the body to the Kisumu County Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.
Police sources revealed that Oduor had been apprehended following a fierce shootout with officers along Otieno Oyoo Street, where he was allegedly armed with an AK-47 rifle. He was subdued and taken into custody without further incident.
The circumstances surrounding his death are now under investigation, with authorities expected to review cell supervision protocols and examine how the suspect managed to access materials used in the alleged suicide.
This incident adds to growing concerns about inmate welfare and supervision in police detention facilities across the country, with rights groups repeatedly calling for enhanced monitoring systems to prevent such tragedies.
