A man who was detained over his wife’s death commits suicide in a police cell

Police and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority are jointly investigating an incident in which a murder suspect was discovered dead in a cell, suspected of suicide at Mukurweini police station in Nyeri.

Ben Kamau Maina had been held at the station awaiting plea taking for the alleged murder of his wife, Nancy Muthoni Maina, according to police.

The incident occurred on Monday morning, scheduled for his court appearance.

Police stated that he was set to appear at the local law courts regarding the murder.

Other detainees at the station reported discovering Maina’s lifeless body hanging on the window grill with a mattress lining tied around his neck.

He had passed away several hours earlier. The other detainees informed the on-duty police, who promptly responded to the scene but were unable to assist him.

The body was transferred to the local mortuary pending autopsy.

Police noted that they had not determined the motive behind the incident, and Maina had not disclosed his plans to anyone.

Incidents of this nature fall under the purview of IPOA, and the team has visited the station, interviewing witnesses and on-duty police officers as part of the investigation.