A 21-year-old man who was arrested for opening fire on police officers in Kisumu County has died by suspected suicide inside the Kisumu Central Police Station cells.
According to a police report, the incident was discovered early Friday morning when an officer conducting a routine roll call at around 6:00 a.m. noticed the suspect was missing. Upon searching the cell bathroom, officers reportedly found his body.
The deceased’s body was later taken to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted to determine the cause of death.
The suspect had been arrested on October 27 following a dramatic gunfight with police officers along Otieno Oloo Street in Kisumu town. The shootout caused panic among traders and pedestrians who fled for safety.
Kisumu County Police Commander Bakari said the confrontation began when officers noticed three men acting suspiciously, one of whom was carrying a bag. When the officers approached, the suspect reportedly drew an AK-47 rifle and opened fire.
“This morning, we had an incident around the Patel Samaj Temple along Otieno Oyoo Street. One of the assailants withdrew an assault rifle from his bag and started shooting at officers,” said Bakari.
During the altercation, the suspect is said to have stormed into the temple compound, held a security guard at gunpoint, and robbed him of his phone and other valuables before tying him up. He then climbed the building and continued firing from inside as worshipers fled in panic.
Police later subdued and arrested the suspect, recovering an AK-47 rifle and five rounds of ammunition at the scene.
He was treated at a local hospital before being arraigned in court on October 28, where a magistrate ordered that he be remanded at Kisumu Central Police Station for 14 days pending further investigations.
Authorities have since launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.