A storm of outrage has gripped Kipipiri in Nyandarua County after a man arrested for allegedly obstructing police officers was found dead in a cell at Turasha Police Post, barely three hours after his arrest.
Police claim he died by suicide — but the family and local leaders insist the explanation is both physically implausible and suspicious.
Ruigi Ndubi, a 44-year-old resident of Kipipiri, was reportedly arrested at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, 24 June 2025, on accusations of obstructing police officers while appearing intoxicated.
Police say he was booked into the station’s holding cell at Turasha Police Post, where he was subsequently found dead at 12:46 p.m. during a routine inspection.
According to a police statement, Ndubi was found hanging from his shirt, which had been tied to a padlock on the cell window. Officers said they removed the body and took it to Engineer Sub-County Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.
Ndubi’s family has categorically rejected the police version of events, calling it misleading and inconsistent with the physical state of the body.
“It doesn’t make sense. The place they are describing is barely a foot high. How could someone hang themselves from that? It’s impossible,” one family member said after viewing the body.
Relatives say Ndubi’s body was found in a kneeling position, which contradicts the claim that he had hanged himself. They now believe the cause of death may not be suicide, as alleged.
The incident has sparked a strong reaction from local leaders, who have joined the family in calling for a thorough and independent investigation.
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Githioro Ward MCA Isaac Mbae, who visited the grieving family, was emphatic in his condemnation of the police’s handling of the case:
“We want IPOA and the DCI to take over this matter. The police cannot investigate themselves. If this matter is left to the police at Turasha, we will not get justice,” said Mbae.
Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia also questioned the suicide claim, urging immediate action from oversight agencies: “We have seen the body. The claims of suicide don’t match what we saw. We want an immediate investigation by IPOA and other relevant bodies to uncover the truth.”
The leaders’ concerns mirror growing public frustration in Kenya over deaths occurring in police custody, especially in rural outposts where oversight is weak and transparency often lacking.
This is not the first time police in Kenya have come under scrutiny for suspicious deaths in custody. In many cases, official accounts have been questioned or overturned following independent investigations.
The Ndubi case has touched a raw nerve in the region, raising questions about police accountability, use of force, and custodial safety.
For the family and community, justice now rests on a credible autopsy and investigation — one that must be conducted by independent bodies such as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
As the spotlight now shifts to IPOA and the DCI, the family and local leaders remain adamant that only a transparent, independent inquiry will restore public trust.
With the post-mortem expected to offer critical answers, pressure is building on authorities to ensure accountability, uphold justice, and prevent yet another custodial death from being dismissed without consequence.
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