The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an investigation into the death of a robbery with violence suspect who allegedly took his own life while in custody at the Kisumu Central Police Station last week.
According to Paul Murkomen, the IPOA Nyanza Regional Coordinator, officers from the authority have already recorded statements from police personnel who were on duty at the time of the incident.
Murkomen said IPOA is also working to locate the family of the deceased, identified as Kelvin Oduor, also known by his alias Kevo. He noted that the ongoing investigation seeks to establish whether Oduor’s death was self-inflicted or if there was any foul play involved.
“A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death,” Murkomen confirmed.
Oduor had been arrested on Monday, October 27, in connection with a robbery with violence case and was remanded for 14 days pending his next court appearance.
However, on Friday, October 31, police officers at the station reportedly found him hanging in the bathroom of the cells, with authorities claiming that he had died by suicide.
The investigation by IPOA aims to ensure transparency and accountability regarding the circumstances surrounding his death, as part of its mandate to oversee police conduct in Kenya.
