NAIROBI, Kenya – The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has given an account of the arrest and subsequent death of Dennis Aremo Osiemo, whose body was found inside a police cell at Narumoru Police Station.
The DCI said Osiemo had been arrested in connection with an assault case involving a woman who accused him of assaulting and stabbing her several times.
His death is now being investigated by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which has taken over the case.
DCI links arrest to assault case
According to the DCI, the incident that led to Osiemo’s arrest occurred on July 2, 2026.
The agency said Osiemo, who had previously worked as a farmhand for the complainant, allegedly went to her home, assaulted her and stabbed her before fleeing.
The woman reported the incident at Narumoru Police Station and was subsequently admitted to Tumutumu Hospital, where she received treatment for nine days.
The DCI said the complainant later raised concerns about the handling of the case with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in Nanyuki.
DCI takes over investigation
The ODPP subsequently directed that the investigation be taken over by the DCI.
The case file was forwarded to the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (SCCIO), Kieni East, on September 3.
Detectives then traced Osiemo to Kisii, where the DCI said he had been hiding.
With assistance from the SCCIO, Masaba North, DCI officers from Kieni East arrested him in Kisii on September 18.
He was initially booked at Keroka Police Station before being collected by DCI officers and transferred to Narumoru Police Station on September 19.
Osiemo found dead in cell
The DCI said Osiemo was processed on September 19 and his statement recorded before he was returned to the cells.
“He was observed to be in a normal condition,” the agency said.
He was expected to appear in court on Monday, September 21, in connection with the assault case.
However, on Sunday, September 20, Osiemo was found hanging from the ventilation grills inside the police cell.
The DCI said officers immediately secured and processed the scene in the presence of IPOA officials, senior police officers and a relative.
IPOA takes over death investigation
Osiemo’s body was subsequently moved to Narumoru mortuary pending an autopsy.
IPOA has taken over investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The oversight authority’s involvement is significant because the death occurred while Osiemo was in police custody. The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances leading to his death, while an autopsy will provide further information on the cause of death.
The DCI said it would cooperate fully with IPOA.
DCI urges public to await findings
The DCI said it was committed to a transparent process aimed at establishing what happened.
“The DCI extends its deepest condolences to the family, relatives and friends of the late Dennis Aremo Osiemo,” the agency said.
The agency also urged members of the public to rely on verified information as investigations continue.
It cautioned against drawing conclusions from unverified claims circulating on social media before IPOA’s investigation and the autopsy process are completed.
