This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
On June 22, 2020, a man collapsed and died at Mayanja Police Station in Bungoma County, Kenya, while in police custody.
The deceased, Josiah Namunyu, had been arrested over defilement allegations and was being held at the station when he developed breathing problems.
According to officers Silvester Nyakundi and Jackline Muthoni, who were on duty at the time, they heard a knock on the cell door and found other inmates trying to assist Namunyu, who was experiencing seizures and difficulty breathing.
"They opened the cells and found other prisoners trying to assist one male prisoner (sic), Josiah Namunyu, who had developed seizures, and having difficulty in breathing," the officers stated.
"The OCS was informed, and on a visit to the cells, the suspect was found already dead," they added.
It is alleged that prior to his arrest, Namunyu had been subjected to mob justice and had been treated at Bungoma County Referral Hospital and discharged after his condition improved.
Since the coronavirus pandemic hit the country, cases of abrupt deaths have been reported across regions in Kenya, with very few being linked to the virus.
