Traffic offence suspect commits suicide in Malindi police custody

By PAUL GITAU

MALINDI, KENYA: A middle aged man committed suicide inside a police cell in Watamu, Malindi district, Kilifi County.

The man was found dead at the Watamu police station Saturday morning by a police officer who had gone to serve him with breakfast.

The man is said to have been locked at the cells the previous evening following a traffic offence.

Malindi District Criminal Investigation Officer Mr John Ndungu confirmed the incident.

Police did not release the name of the deceased as his next of kin were yet to be alerted.

Mr Ndungu said the deceased body was found dangling by a police officer who later alerted his colleagues.

He said the man committed suicide using a track suit he was wearing.

It is said he was alone at the police cell when he decided to take his own life.

The DCIO said the deceased did not leave a suicide note.

“The man was alone at the cell and we are yet to establish what prompted him to take his own life”, he noted.

He however said they have launched investigations to establish the reason that led him to commit suicide.

When word went round of the incident hundreds of the locals jammed the police station to witness.

The body was later taken to the Malindi district hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem examination.