A family in Navakholo, Kakamega County, is demanding justice and an independent investigation after their son died in police custody shortly after his arrest.
Raymond Nachibati, 33, was taken into custody last Saturday afternoon alongside two others following an alleged altercation at Malaha market. Within hours, his lifeless body was discovered in a cell at Budonga Police Post, sparking grief, outrage and calls for accountability.
Navakholo Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Hassan said Nachibati appeared intoxicated and depressed at the time of his arrest and alleged that he took his own life while in custody.
“Unfortunately, he took his own life. He appeared drunk when he was arrested, but we did not anticipate he would go to such an extreme,” Mr Hassan said in a statement.
Mr Hassan added that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are working with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to establish the true cause of Nachibati’s death.
“He was booked into custody at approximately 3pm and was found dead less than two hours later. The scene has been secured and is currently under forensic examination by crime scene experts,” he said.
According to police records, Nachibati had been arrested following a domestic dispute with his wife at the market and was detained pending further investigation.
However, the family disputes the official account and is demanding a thorough inquiry before the burial of their loved one.
His brothers Sylvanus Waswa and Ibrahim Barasa said they were shocked to learn of his death when they went to the police post to inquire about his arrest.
“We were surprised because our brother was taken in alongside his wife and her brother. But the two were not held in the cell — only Raymond was. We suspect foul play,” Mr Waswa said.
Their father Anderson Makokha expressed anguish and disbelief saying the matter could have been resolved amicably at home.
“I was deeply shocked to hear that my son had been arrested over a fight with his wife. This was a family issue we could have handled ourselves,” he said.
Raymond’s mother Esther Khaemba explained the events leading to the altercation. She said Nachibati had separated from his wife and remarried, sparking the confrontation.
“When she discovered that my son had married another woman, she returned and attacked the new wife. My son intervened and chased her all the way to the market, where her brothers assaulted him. That’s when the police intervened and arrested all three, taking them to Budonga Police Post,” she recounted.
Nachibati’s body was moved to the Kakamega County General Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The family has vowed not to proceed with burial arrangements until the circumstances surrounding Nachibati’s death are fully investigated and justice served.
