Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has voiced concern over the increasing number of deaths occurring in police custody, following the death of yet another man under unclear circumstances.
In a statement on Sunday, June 15, Odhiambo revealed that a man identified as Calvince Omondi Onditi had died while being held at a police station. The MP claimed that the police reported Onditi’s death as a suicide, but she dismissed the explanation, terming it a recurring and unconvincing narrative.
“These deaths in police cells cannot go on,” said Odhiambo. “Albert Ojwang’s case has not been resolved. Now, they’ve killed Mr. Onditi from Ndhuru in my constituency—yet another death in Homa Bay County. Then they’re repeating the same tired excuse of suicide.”
The latest incident comes just a week after the controversial death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher based in Voi, who died in police custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station. Ojwang had been arrested in Homa Bay and transferred to Nairobi over allegations of publishing defamatory content targeting Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
Initially, the National Police Service claimed Ojwang died after banging his head against a wall inside the cell. However, a post-mortem examination by pathologist Bernard Midia revealed that Ojwang had sustained injuries consistent with physical assault, including head trauma and neck compression.
“The cause of death is very clear—a head injury, neck compression, and other injuries consistent with a struggle,” said Dr. Midia.
On Friday, June 13, yet another man reportedly died by suicide while in custody at Katito Police Station in Kisumu County. He had been arrested earlier that day on suspicion of livestock theft. Authorities claimed he was found hanging from the cell door grill using a vest.
Odhiambo’s remarks highlight growing concern over the treatment of detainees in police custody, particularly in light of multiple unexplained deaths in recent weeks. Civil society groups and human rights defenders have called for transparent investigations and urgent police reforms to address what they describe as a disturbing trend.
