A 21-year-old man has died by suicide in a cell at Kisumu Central Police Station, days after his arrest in a botched robbery. He opened fire on police officers with an AK-47 on October 27. Officers described how the incident unfolded and how they discovered his body.
The suspect was arrested on October 27, 2025, after opening fire on police officers along Otieno Oloo Street in Kisumu. Kisumu Commandant Bakari stated the incident began near the Patel Samaj Temple that morning. "This morning, we had an incident around the Patel Samaj Temple along Otieno Oyoo Street. One of the assailants had a bag that drew suspicion. Upon spotting the officers, he withdrew an assault rifle and started shooting at them," Bakari said.
The suspect was with two others carrying a suspicious bag. When approached by officers, he drew a gun from the bag and engaged them in a shootout. He stormed into the temple compound, held a security guard at gunpoint, robbed his phone and other belongings, and tied the guard with a piece of cloth. He then climbed the building and continued firing at officers from inside as worshipers fled.
Officers subdued and arrested him, recovering an AK-47 rifle and five rounds of ammunition. He received treatment at a local hospital in Kisumu and was arraigned in court on October 28, 2025. The court ordered him remanded at Kisumu Central Police Station for 14 days pending investigations.
On October 31, 2025, at 6am during a roll call, the duty officer noticed the suspect was missing. After a search, they found his body in the cell bathroom. The body was taken to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.
Counselors, medics, and psychologists recommend seeking help for mental health issues via the Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline 1199.