A family in the Kipipiri area is demanding a thorough investigation and justice following the death of their relative, who allegedly died by suicide while in police custody at Turasha Police Station.
According to a police report obtained by Citizen Digital, the deceased, 44-year-old Ruigi Ndubi, was arrested for allegedly obstructing police officers performing their duties.
The report notes that Ndubi appeared intoxicated at the time of his arrest.
One suspect namely Simon Thumbi, aged about 44 years, had been arrested by police officers today under OB No. 6/23/6/2025 and placed in custody for the offence of obstructing police officers while performing their duty. He appeared to be drunk," the report reads in part.
According to the report, during a routine check at 12:46 p.m., an officer discovered the suspect dead inside the cell. It claims that he hanged himself with his shirt, which was tied to the padlock on the inner cell door.
However, the deceased's family has questioned the official account, citing suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
According to relatives, Ndubi was discovered with his knees touching the ground, an unusual position for a hanging, casting doubt on the claim that he committed suicide.
"It doesn’t make sense. The place they are describing is barely a foot high. They claim he tied his shirt to a padlock and hanged himself, which is impossible," said Simon Irungu, a relative, in an interview with Inooro TV. "We don’t even know who arrested him. We’re hearing he was picked up while heading to a nearby shopping center."
Local leaders have joined the family in calling for accountability. Githioro Ward MCA Isaac Mbae urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to take over the case.
"A middle-aged man was arrested by police in Turasha and later died in custody. We urge IPOA and DCI to investigate because the explanation of how he allegedly hanged himself doesn’t add up—he was found on his knees," Mbae told the media.
Kipipiri Member of Parliament Wanjiku Muhia condemned what she called a troubling increase in police brutality and urged the national government to intervene.
"We are appealing to the president to protect Kenyans. It cannot be that those tasked with our safety have now become the greatest threat," said Muhia. She also expressed concern over a planned postmortem, saying she would oppose any rushed attempt to determine the cause of death without full transparency.