On the night of April 24, Timon Otieno was arrested by police on suspicion of vandalising security lights at Wang’apala Secondary School in Rachuonyo East, Homa Bay county.
Mr Otieno was traced to his house in Kawuor Location where police officers, who were accompanied by a local administrator, arrested and locked him at Othoro Police Station.
But just a day after his arrest, news of the shocking death of the 40-year-old man broke out.
Mr Otieno's mysterious death while in police custody took several people, including his family, by surprise. A police report indicating that he died by suicide was immediately rejected by his family.
"Give us a break! Do they really think that we are so gullible to fall for such a cheap lie? We demand for a proper explanation regarding the circumstances that led to the death of my son," his father, John Ogwang, told the Nation.
After his arrest, Mr Otieno was locked up at the police station awaiting arraignment the following day.
However when his father showed up on Friday morning to post bail for his release, he was informed that his son had passed away.
Jawabu Community Medical Clinic and Funeral Home in Rachuonyo East in Homa Bay County on April 27, 2025.
Photo credit: Courtesy
“Upon reaching the station the officer I found manning the front desk asked me to sit on the bench and wait,” he said.
It took sometime before another officer approached Mr Ogwang to break the bad news of his son's death.
"He told me that my son had taken his own life in the cells," he recalled amid sobs.
At Jawabu Funeral Home where the body was taken, a white shirt still remained tied around his neck with some parts of his body appearing bruised
“I highly doubt the narrative that my son hanged himself because his body had visible injuries, suggesting that he might have died of assault,” Mr Ogwang’ said.
Harun Otieno, the brother of the deceased, also poked holes on the police report.
“Whatever the police are saying is not adding up. It is clear my brother succumbed to assault injuries,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by his younger brother Mr Domnic Otieno who called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) to investigate the matter.
He said all officers who were at the station at the time his brother died, alongside their seniors, should be questioned.
“We have looked at the body and it appeared as if he was tortured. He left home when he was fine only for us to be told that he took his life while in the police cell,” Mr Otieno said.
Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilem said the matter had been handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers for investigations.
The police commander said appropriate legal action will be taken upon the findings of the DCI officers.
“DCI will reveal what led to the death of this man. We will then take appropriate legal action,” Mr Koilem said.
