21-year-old man killed in Kisumu Police Station
A 21-year-old man who had been arrested following a botched armed robbery in Kisumu has reportedly died by suicide while being held at the Kisumu Central Police Station. The suspect, identified as Kelvin Oduor, popularly known as Kevo, allegedly took his own life by hanging himself in the bathroom of his cell using a string that resembled a belt.
According to a police report, officers on duty discovered Oduor was missing during the routine morning roll call at around 6 a.m. When they conducted a search within the holding cells, they were shocked to find his lifeless body hanging in the toilet area. Efforts to save his life were unsuccessful.
Authorities revealed that the deceased had been arrested on Monday after a violent robbery incident within Kisumu town. He had been arraigned in court and was ordered to remain in police custody for 14 days pending further investigations and a subsequent court appearance.
Crime scene investigators visited the station to process the area where the incident occurred. The body was later moved to the Kisumu County Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Prior to his arrest, Oduor had reportedly engaged police officers in a fierce shootout along Otieno Oyoo Street. He was allegedly armed with an AK-47 rifle, and his attempt to escape led to an intense exchange of gunfire before he was eventually overpowered and captured by officers. The weapon was recovered at the scene and has since been taken for ballistic analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.
The tragic incident has raised questions about the safety and welfare of suspects held in police custody. Human rights advocates have often called for increased supervision within detention facilities to prevent similar occurrences.
Police have assured the public that investigations are underway to establish how Oduor managed to obtain the string used in the act and whether there was any lapse in the officers’ duty of care at the time of his death.
21-year-old man killed in Kisumu Police Station
