A 45-year-old man was found dead inside a police cell at Nunguni Police Post in Kilungu, Makueni County, hours after he was arrested following reports that he was allegedly threatening members of the public with a panga.
The man, identified as Gideon Makau Mbandi, alias Maiyu, was a conductor with Nunguni Express Travellers Sacco.
According to an OB report, Mbandi was arrested at about 10:30pm on Tuesday after members of the public reported that he was moving around Nunguni Market while armed with a panga and threatening people.
He was subsequently booked into custody on suspicion of preparation to commit a felony.
The report states that he appeared intoxicated at the time of his arrest.
At about 1:20am on Wednesday, two police officers reportedly opened the cells to admit other suspects when they discovered Mbandi, who was the only detainee in custody, unresponsive.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Mbandi had allegedly hanged himself from the cell grill using his pair of trousers.
The OB report states that no visible external physical injuries were found on his body.
Personnel from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Crime Scene Investigation team processed and documented the scene before the body was moved to Kilungu Sub-County Hospital Mortuary pending further examination.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is handling investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Further investigations are expected to establish the circumstances leading to Mbandi’s death while in police custody.
