The controversial death of a suspect in police custody at Nyandarua’s Turasha police station an hour after his arrest has angered residents even as they demand justice.
Police claim the man died by suicide but the situation has raised numerous questions, particularly because the suspect was booked under the wrong name in the Occurrence Book (OB).
Mr Simon Tumbi Kihanya, 44, was arrested on Monday afternoon on his way to Turasha market. According to police, he was found in possession of a jacket allegedly linked to a known bhang peddler.
However, he was booked into custody as “Ruigi Ndubi” under OB Number 6/23/6/2025 on charges of obstructing police officers while on duty. News of his death later that evening sparked protests at the police station
“We want to understand how a person can die by suicide in a police cell. How could he have died while kneeling, given that the door knob is less than a metre from the floor? Who else was in the cells at the time of death? We read mischief. We appeal to Ipoa (Independent Policing Oversight Authority) and the DCI to investigate as this this does not make sense,” said Githioro Ward MCA Isaac Mbae.
Simon Irungu, a relative of the deceased, said he visited the cell where his nephew allegedly died and noted that the padlock knob was only about two feet from the floor, casting further doubt on the suicide claim. “The police’s suicide explanation is untrue. He was healthy at the time of his arrest and we demand thorough investigations into the cause of his death,” he said.
According to the OB entry, titled “Suicide of Suspect in the Police Cells”, Kihanya was placed in custody at 11.36am and was found dead at 12.49pm, just over an hour later.
However, the family says they were not informed of his death until after 4pm.
“This occurred today, 23/6/25, between 11.36 hrs and 12.49 hrs at Turasha Police Station cells within Turasha Location. One suspect, namely Ruigi Ndubi, aged about 44 years, had been arrested by police officers today vide OB No. 6/23/6/2025 and placed in custody for the offence of obstructing police officers while in the performance of duty and placed in custody while appearing drunk. The officer on duty visited the cell at 12.46hrs and found the suspect had died inside the cell.”
Turasha Police declined to comment on the incident. Kipipiri Sub-county Police Commander Bridget Kanini stated she was under strict instructions from county police bosses not to speak to the media. County Police Commander Stella Cherono had not responded to calls or messages at the time of reporting.
Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia criticised the police's handling of the incident. She said that the post-mortem should not be conducted before the family and other interested parties are involved.
“These incidents are becoming too frequent across the country. Police stations should be sanctuaries for citizens in danger but they are becoming death traps. I appeal to President William Ruto to remind the police that their duty is to protect lives, not take them,” she said.
Former Kipipiri MP Simon Gichigi and several human rights activists also condemned the death and called for immediate investigations.
“We want justice for Simon. How does someone arrested for allegedly possessing a jacket linked to a bhang peddler die in a police cell and the police call it suicide? How can one commit suicide using a door handle? Who lodged the complaint since the jacket owner never did? The OB must be secured to prevent tampering,” he said.
Mr Gichigi demanded the immediate interdiction of the officers involved, pending investigations, and urged the Ipoa to begin their inquiry without delay to prevent a potential cover-up. “The post-mortem must be conducted with doctors appointed by the family and independent observers to ensure transparency,” he added.
