NAIROBI, Kenya- A family in Kiambu County is demanding answers following the death of a 24-year-old student who allegedly died inside a police cell hours after his arrest.
The deceased, identified as Brian Njung’e, was a student at Kiambu National Polytechnic and had reportedly been arrested on Thursday morning in the Kirigiti area of Kiambu town before being booked at Kiambu Police Station.
According to human rights activist and lawyer Hussein Khalid, Brian managed to call his mother from the police station at around 9am, informing her about his arrest.
The family immediately rushed to the station seeking to see him.
However, upon arriving shortly before noon, they were allegedly told to wait.
The situation took a tragic turn hours later when police reportedly informed the family at around 2pm that Brian had allegedly committed suicide while inside the cells.
Police are said to have claimed that Brian was alone in the cell at the time because other detainees had already been taken to court.
But the explanation has raised serious questions from the family, who insist the police account does not add up.
The incident has sparked renewed concern over deaths occurring inside police stations and the treatment of suspects while in custody.
Hussein Khalid, the CEO of VOCAL Africa, said the family was seeking justice and an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Brian’s death.
“Another death inside a police station,” Khalid said while sharing details of the incident, adding that the family believes there could be more to the story than what police have disclosed.
The death comes amid growing scrutiny over alleged police brutality, unexplained deaths in custody and calls for accountability within Kenya’s law enforcement agencies.
Rights groups have repeatedly demanded transparent investigations into deaths occurring in police custody, arguing that families deserve credible answers and justice.
