Tragedy Behind Bars: Teen Suspect Takes Own Life in Police Cell

Authorities are investigating an incident where a suspect was found dead after a suspected suicide at a police cell in Kaloleni, Kilifi County.

The incident happened at the Bamba police cell on April 20 in the morning, police said.

The victim was identified as Chrispus Baraka Kifalu alias Kitsau. He was 18.

He died by hanging himself using his shirt, which was tied around his neck on the metal bars of the toilet ventilation.

Police officers visited the scene and confirmed the incident.

According to the police, Kifalu had been arrested on April 18, 2025, for assault and threatening to kill a 16-year-old juvenile.

It is not clear what prompted the victim to die by suicide, police said.

Other suspects who were in the cells have been questioned as part of the probe into the death.

Police said the body was transferred to the Kilifi County Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.

The team at the scene alerted the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to join the probe as required by law.

Elsewhere in Mathira, Nyeri, one James Kinyua Magondu, 58, died by suicide by hanging himself using a manilla rope that was tied around his neck on one of the roof rafters of his storehouse.

No suicide note was recovered, and the motive is yet to be known, police said.

The body was moved to the Karatina Hospital, awaiting an autopsy.

In Makindu, Makueni, one Boma Kyungu, 53, was found dead after suspected suicide in Wathimo village.

Police said they are yet to know the motive of the suicide.

The body of the deceased was moved to Makindu Sub County Hospital morgue, awaiting autopsy.

Suicide cases have been on the rise amid efforts to contain the trend.

The majority of the victims were male, police reports say.

Police say the trend has been worrying and increasing, with up to two cases reported daily.

The World Health Organisation says such cases are attributed to joblessness, death, academic failures or pressures, legal difficulties and financial difficulties.

Other reasons are bullying, previous suicide attempts, history of suicide in a family, alcoholism and substance misuse, depression and bipolar disorder.

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Tragedy Behind Bars: Teen Suspect Takes Own Life in Police Cell