A 41-year-old man being held at Chwele Police Station in Bungoma Central Sub-County over an alleged stock theft incident died after reportedly collapsing inside the police station.
The deceased, identified as Chrispinus Wanyonyi, collapsed at about 10:45am on October 5, 2026, as officers were making arrangements to rush him to hospital, police said.
Senior police officers visited the scene and found Wanyonyi’s body in the cells corridor.
According to the police, Wanyonyi and another man had allegedly been found by members of the public in a cattle shed in Kuywa Village on suspicion of stealing livestock.
The two were arrested by members of the public and handed over to Kuywa Police Post before being transferred to Chwele Police Station at about 1:14am on October 5.
Police said both men appeared to be drunk at the time of their transfer.
The scene was processed and documented by Crime Scene Investigation personnel. However, the cause of Wanyonyi’s death could not immediately be established.
His body was taken to Bungoma County Referral Hospital Mortuary pending a postmortem examination.
The case has been classified as a death in police custody and is being investigated by the DCI Bungoma Central.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Western Region, has also been notified.
Meanwhile, an intelligence-led operation by detectives unearthed a suspected illicit cigarette distribution network in Githunguri Township, Kiambu County, following the seizure of assorted cigarettes and bundles of suspected counterfeit Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) excise duty stamps.
The operation targeted a businessman who is suspected of being involved in the illegal sale and distribution of uncustomed and smuggled cigarettes.
Working on intelligence, detectives mounted undercover surveillance on two premises linked to the suspect, carefully piecing together his movements and activities before making their move.
Detectives stormed the premises and conducted a meticulous search, uncovering assorted boxes and loose packets of cigarettes, alongside bundles of KRA excise duty stamps suspected to be counterfeit.
The premises have since been secured as detectives await the KRA Investigations & Enforcement team to examine the seized items and establish the extent of the suspected illicit trade.
However, the suspect managed to evade arrest and remains at large, as detectives pursue leads to trail and bring him to justice.
The operation underscores the DCI’s resolve, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, to dismantle networks dealing in counterfeit and illicit goods, protect legitimate businesses and safeguard government revenue, officials said.
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