- Kisumu Central Police Station recorded the death of 21-year-old robbery suspect Kelvin Oduor, alias Kevo, found dead in a cell toilet
- Preliminary reports suggest he hanged himself, though authorities are investigating how he obtained the rope
- Oduor had been arrested following an armed robbery in Kisumu CBD, where he allegedly threatened a security guard, stole valuables, and fired at police
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
A 21-year-old suspect, Kelvin Oduor, alias Kevo, has been found dead inside a cell toilet at Kisumu Central Police Station under unclear circumstances.
Source: UGC
According to preliminary reports, Oduor apparently hanged himself, though authorities are investigating how he obtained the rope.
A police source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Oduor appeared to have hanged himself using a rope, though it is unclear how he obtained it.
“He hanged himself using a rope. How he got the rope is under investigation,” the officer told Capital News.
Why was Kelvin Oduor arrested?
Oduor had been arrested on Monday following a dramatic armed robbery attempt in Kisumu’s Central Business District.
The incident threw the area into chaos as gunfire echoed through Otieno Oyoo Street, forcing traders to close their stalls and pedestrians to scatter.
Kisumu Central Deputy Sub-County Police Commandant Bakari Mwanauli explained that the confrontation began when officers on patrol noticed three young men carrying a bulky bag near the Patel Samaj Temple.
During the ensuing standoff, Oduor allegedly held a security guard at gunpoint inside the temple compound, robbed him of his mobile phone and other valuables, and tied him up with a piece of cloth.
Witnesses reported that he then climbed onto the rooftop near a water tank, firing sporadically at officers below.
Police quickly cordoned off the area and deployed a special response team and after a tense standoff, officers subdued Oduor and recovered an AK-47 assault rifle.
Authorities believe the firearm had been used in multiple robberies across Kisumu as two of Oduor’s accomplices reportedly fled the scene.
Following his arrest, Oduor received treatment at a local hospital before being arraigned in court on Tuesday, October 30.
The court remanded him at Kisumu Central Police Station for 14 days pending further investigations.
Is there a probe into Kelvin’s death in custody?
On Friday, October 31, DCI scene-of-crime officers processed the cell before transferring Oduor’s body to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
The Kisumu Central Police Station has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident.
Source: Facebook
Oduor’s death adds to rising concerns about the increasing number of suspects dying in police custody across Kenya.
Human rights groups have long criticised conditions in detention facilities and questioned the integrity of the criminal justice system, calling for greater accountability and transparency.
Kiambu man dies days after arrest
In another incident, a 23‑year‑old boda boda operator, Charles Ndung’u, allegedly died while in police custody in Kiambu county.
His family said he was arrested and taken to Kayole, where his trail vanished until officials confirmed his death.
According to his sister, Rina Wanjiku, he told her he had been detained by officers in the Kayole area.
The family visited multiple police stations, Kayole, Matopeni, Obama, Soweto, and Mugendi, only to be told he was not held there.
Weeks later, they traced his motorbike and were informed Ndung’u had died.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
