A shadow of deep suspicion and grief has fallen over Kipipiri, as a family desperately seeks answers and justice following the death of their relative, Ruigi Ndubi, who allegedly died by suicide while in police custody at Turasha Police Station. The tragic incident, and the family's immediate questioning of the official narrative, has reignited long-standing concerns about accountability within the Kenyan police service.
According to a police report obtained by Citizen Digital, 44-year-old Ruigi Ndubi was arrested on Monday, June 23, 2025, under OB No. 6/23/6/2025, for allegedly obstructing police officers performing their duties. The report notes that Ndubi appeared intoxicated at the time of his arrest, a detail often used in police reports to frame circumstances.
The official account, as per the police report, states that during a routine check at 12:46 p.m., an officer discovered Ndubi dead inside the cell. The report claims he hanged himself with his shirt, which was tied to the padlock on the inner cell door. This version of events, however, has been met with incredulity and outright rejection by Ndubi's distraught family.
Relatives have voiced serious doubts, pointing to highly suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. According to family members, Ndubi was found with his knees touching the ground, a position highly unusual for a death by hanging and one that immediately casts doubt on the police's suicide claim. "It doesn’t make sense. The place they are describing is barely a foot high. They claim he tied his shirt to a padlock and hanged himself, which is impossible," stated Simon Irungu, a relative, in an interview with Inooro TV. The family further highlighted a critical lack of information, with Irungu adding, "We don’t even know who arrested him. We’re hearing he was picked up while heading to a nearby shopping center." This lack of transparency regarding the initial arrest only deepens their distrust.
The death in custody of Ruigi Ndubi adds to a disturbing pattern of similar incidents across Kenya. Organizations like Missing Voices and Amnesty International Kenya have consistently documented numerous cases of individuals dying under mysterious circumstances in police custody, often with official explanations of "suicide" or "resisting arrest" that are later contradicted by independent autopsies or family accounts. Just recently, the death of Albert Ojwang' in police custody sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice, with initial police claims of self-inflicted injury being disputed by a post-mortem report indicating external assault.
In response to the family's outcry, local leaders have swiftly joined the call for accountability. Githioro Ward MCA Isaac Mbae has publicly urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to take over the case immediately. "A middle-aged man was arrested by police in Turasha and later died in custody. We urge IPOA and DCI to investigate because the explanation of how he allegedly hanged himself doesn’t add up—he was found on his knees," Mbae told the media, echoing the family's profound skepticism.
This case once again puts the spotlight on police conduct, the treatment of suspects in custody, and the vital role of independent oversight bodies. The Constitution of Kenya guarantees the rights of arrested persons, including the right to humane treatment and protection from torture. The family of Ruigi Ndubi, and indeed the Kenyan public, will be watching closely to see if a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation can finally bring the truth to light and deliver justice for a life tragically lost within the very system meant to protect it.
