Outrage in Gatundu South after bhang suspect dies in police custody

A suspected bhang peddler died at the Kiganjo Police Station in Gatundu South, Kiambu County after he was allegedly strangled by police officers.

Witnesses claimed that Paul Njuguna had attempted to swallow the drug he is said to have been found with, moments after being arrested and taken to police custody.

However, government officials dismissed the claims insisting that Njuguna died after swallowing the bhang contained in a plastic paper and that he was not strangled.

However, government officials have dismissed the claims of police brutality.

Gatundu South Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Florence Chege refuted the allegations that Njuguna was strangled, insisting that preliminary postmortem results showed he died after swallowing the bhang that was found hidden in a polythene paper.

“The results are out and they have clearly shown that the suspect swallowed the bhang before the police even conducted a search. During the postmortem, the bhang was recovered and is now an exhibit as investigations continue,” Chege said.

While acknowledging the community’s anger, the DCC urged residents to allow due process to take its course and report any cases of police misconduct to the appropriate government agencies.

“We have not allowed police to mistreat people inside the cells and they know the law. If you’re arrested, don’t resist, but officers should not beat anyone. If you are mistreated in a police station, you have the right to report,” she added.

The incident sparked protests by residents who stormed the police station demanding justice for the victim, with members of the public demanding arrest and prosecution of the officers involved.

Tension remained high in the area, with residents alleging that corruption and brutality have become rampant at the station.

The suspect reportedly died shortly after being arrested by officers on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 for allegedly possessing bhang.

However, conflicting accounts over the cause of his death have left residents demanding answers, with some accusing the police of brutality and others calling for a transparent investigation.

Cases of police custody turning into death chambers have been on the rise.

Early this year, a teacher-cum blogger Albert Ojwang was brutally killed at Central Police Station in Nairobi.

In June this year, the Independent Oversight Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) told Parliament that between February and June this year, the authority was investigating a total of 18 civilian deaths while in police custody.