Murder suspect dies by suicide in police cells in Kirinyaga

A murder suspect was found dead following a suicide incident at Kiamaciri Police Station in Kirinyaga County.

Police station authorities said they had notified Independent Police Oversight Authority officers to join the investigation into the death of 42-year-old John Mugendi.

His body was found Sunday morning hanging from a doorway vent, with a vest tied around his neck.

This was long after his death. According to the police, he was held alone in his cell at the time of his death.

The team taking over the day shift said they came across the body of the deceased while answering the roll call.

Mugendi was held at the police station on suspicion of murder pursuant to a Baricho court order made following various custodial requests to enable the police to complete their investigation.

Mwea West police chief Rashid Ali said there were no other marks on the body that could suggest any crime.

However, he assured that they were investigating the incident.

The IPOA Central Region has been informed to join the probe.

The IPOA usually takes over the investigation of such incidents.

The body was taken to Kerugoya Level Four Hospital mortuary for preservation pending autopsy.

Meanwhile, The body of an unidentified man was discovered in the Rwamuthambi River at Getuya village in Ndia District of Kirinyaga County on Friday.

Locals came across the man’s remains while drawing water from the river before notifying the police.

Police suspect the man was murdered elsewhere and the body was dumped at the scene.

The body was secured in the mortuary pending identification and autopsy.

This will help the police determine whether he died or drowned.

Meanwhile, in Matinyani, Kitui County, the body of Patrick Mutua Wambua (46) was found after suspected murder.

His The body was found squeezed and submerged in a 250-litre plastic drum full of water with its head on the lid.

The body was severed at the neck below the chin.

The police did not find any other injuries. According to police, the body was found in his home on Sunday.

A bloody panga was found in the kitchen where he spent most of the night and was kept as an exhibit.

The body was taken to the Kitui County Referral Hospital mortuary pending an autopsy, police said, adding they did not yet know the motive behind the murder.

The number of murder cases has increased in recent months.