Outrage after Kiambu Polytechnic Student Njung’e dies in police custody
Preliminary findings show that Njung’e had been taken to Kiambu Police Station following the alleged theft incident before news of his death emerged.
The death of a 24-year-old student inside a police cell at Kiambu Police Station has triggered public outrage and renewed scrutiny over custodial deaths in Kenya, with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) demanding a mandatory public inquest and full accountability from authorities.
Brian Njung’e Ndung’u, an architecture student at Kiambu National Polytechnic, was arrested over allegations of theft involving household items said to belong to a neighbour.
He was later found dead in his cell under circumstances his family and rights groups have described as suspicious.
Preliminary findings show that Njung’e had been taken to Kiambu Police Station following the alleged theft incident before news of his death emerged.
The incident has once again reignited concerns over the safety and treatment of suspects held in police custody, with human rights defenders calling for greater accountability within law enforcement agencies.
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, LSK President Charles Kanjama said the circumstances surrounding the student’s death raise serious concerns that require urgent public scrutiny and disclosure.
“The circumstances presently being reported, including the family allegedly being denied access to him shortly before news of his death emerged, make it imperative that there be full accountability and public disclosure of the facts,” Kanjama stated.
The LSK president said the society had already begun engaging the family to provide legal assistance and ensure a public inquest is conducted into the incident.
“The Law Society of Kenya is actively reaching out to Brian’s family to offer comprehensive legal support and ensure a mandatory public inquest is conducted. We will not permit the normalization of custodial deaths or the evasion of administrative accountability,” he added.
The statement comes amid mounting pressure from Njung’e’s relatives, who are demanding an independent investigation into the death after rejecting claims that he died by suicide while in custody.
His mother, Susan Wambui, said the family had not received a satisfactory explanation from authorities regarding the circumstances leading to her son’s death.
“I want justice for my son. We have been given no proper explanation except being told he committed suicide,” she said.
Family members also questioned inconsistencies surrounding the alleged theft case, including conflicting details about the complainant’s residence and the identity of individuals who initially contacted them about the arrest.
Relatives said they have already recorded statements with investigators as they seek answers over the incident.
The family has further appealed to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and other investigative agencies to carry out an independent probe into the death.
