Pressure is mounting on police in Malindi following the death of a 25-year-old man who is found dead in a cell at Malindi Police Station.
According to Hussein Khalid, the deceased, identified as Lucky Odhiambo Okoth, is discovered lifeless on the morning of Friday, April 17, in what he describes as a puzzling case.
Citing police reports, Khalid says Okoth is found hanging using an improvised rope made from pieces of clothing inside the cell. He is reportedly being held alone at the time, even though there are 21 other detainees at the station.
“The report says there were 21 other prisoners at the station, but that Lucky was in one cell alone,” Khalid states.
The circumstances surrounding the death remain unclear, with questions emerging over whether it was a case of suicide or possible foul play. Human rights groups are now calling for an independent investigation into the incident.
Vocal Africa and the Malindi Community Human Rights Centre are following up on the matter, even as calls grow for the Independent Police Oversight Authority to take over investigations.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of deaths in police custody across the country.
IPOA is already investigating another case involving the death of Benard Cheruiyot, who died in custody on March 29 at Keringet Police Station.
Police initially report that Cheruiyot sustained fatal injuries after repeatedly hitting his head against a cell wall. However, his family disputes the account, claiming his body showed signs of extensive trauma, including injuries to the head, eyes, and mouth that they say are inconsistent with self-harm.
Human rights advocates have raised concern over what they describe as a growing pattern of custodial deaths, with reports indicating that at least 20 people have died in police custody within the first four months of 2026.
The latest incident is likely to intensify calls for accountability within the National Police Service as investigations continue.