Deaths in police custody continue to stir public concern, with fresh cases reported in Kakamega and Murang’a counties just two months after nationwide outrage over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang at Nairobi’s Central Police Station.

The most recent incidents occurred within five days, one at Navakholo in Kakamega on Sunday and another at Kenol Police Station in Murang’a on August 5.

These come against the backdrop of more than 20 deaths reported in police cells between June 6 and June 23, 2025, sparking protests across the country. Security officers have been blamed for the fatalities.

In Kakamega, the family of 33-year-old Raymond Nachibati has called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate his death.

Nachibati was arrested on Saturday afternoon along with two others after a fight at Malaha Market, Navakholo.

Later that day, his body was found hanging in a cell at Nang’anda Police Station. His remains are being preserved at Kakamega County Hospital mortuary.

Navakholo Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Hassan said the suspect took his life using the cord from his jacket.

“The suspect, identified as Raymond, was arrested and held at Budonga Police Station. Sadly, he used his jacket cord to hang himself and appeared stressed and drunk. We didn’t think he would go as far as to take his life,” he said. He added that DCI officers are working with IPOA to investigate.

“He was brought to the station at 3 p.m. but was found dead within two hours. Investigations at the scene are ongoing,” Hassan said.

According to police, Nachibati had been arrested for fighting with his wife at the market before being taken in for questioning. His brothers, Sylvanus Waswa and Ibrahim Barasa, who visited the station seeking his release, said they were shocked to find his body hanging from the cell roof.

“He was arrested along with his wife and her brother for fighting at the market. The two were not in the cells and our brother’s body was hanging inside. We suspect something,” Waswa said.

His father, Anderson Makokha, questioned why his son was left alone in the cell when he had been arrested with others and demanded answers on where the cord used came from.

“I was shocked when told my son had been arrested for fighting with his wife. This is something we could have resolved at home,” he said.

His mother, Esther Khaemba, said Nachibati had fought with his estranged wife, who had raised concerns over him marrying another woman. A relative revealed that he had married his new wife two days before the incident.

In Murang’a, police are investigating how a well-dressed man who entered Kenol Police Station on August 5 ended up dead in the cells.

South Murang’a Police Commander Charity Karimi said claims that he may have been killed inside the station are under investigation.

This case echoes a similar one in March at Kiria-ini Police Station, where 53-year-old Charles Gathungu died in custody. He had been arrested while at a bar with his girlfriend, accused of having a relationship with a wealthy man’s daughter. Police claimed he hanged himself with his shirt hours after being locked up.

His widow, Milkah Wambui, said there was nothing illegal about the relationship. “I was aware of my husband’s affair with that woman. What crime is there? Police called me saying my husband was very ill and had been rushed to Kiria-ini Hospital,” she said.

However, hospital officials denied receiving him as a patient, saying he was brought in dead in a police vehicle. To date, his family has not received justice, with Wambui saying, “In my weakness, I left it to God.”