Prisoner Dies in Nakuru Police Cell as OCS Claims He Hit His Head on Wall

Questions continue to mount over the death of 30-year-old Bernard Cheruiyot, who died while in police custody at Keringet Police Station in Kuresoi South, Nakuru County, just two days after his arrest.

The incident has now drawn the attention of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which has launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.

IPOA detectives recorded statements from at least ten inmates who were detained in the same cell with him.

Police Account: Self-Inflicted Injuries

According to police, Cheruiyot was arrested on March 27 after allegedly threatening to kill a neighbour following a dispute.

He was expected to appear in court on March 30.

Commander Boit, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), stated that Cheruiyot sustained injuries after allegedly hitting his head against the wall while in custody.

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On the night of March 29, a sentry reportedly alerted the Deputy OCS about a “disturbed prisoner.”

“When checked, he was found lying down and claimed he was fine despite having a swollen forehead,” Boit said, adding that the detainee insisted he had injured himself.

A nurse from Keringet Sub-County Hospital was called to examine him and reportedly declared him “out of danger,” advising officers to continue monitoring him.

“The prisoner was observed until 5 am when the D-OCS was relieved of duty. At around 6 am, his condition worsened and he was rushed to the hospital 30 minutes later, where he unfortunately died while undergoing treatment,” Boit explained.

Police further stated that Cheruiyot was found unconscious in the cell before being rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Family Rejects Police Version

However, Cheruiyot’s family has strongly disapproved of the police account, alleging negligence and possible foul play.

His wife, Shandevine Chebet, said the arrest came as a result of a minor disagreement over Ksh 10 at a local shop in Kimororoch village.

According to her, Cheruiyot had intervened in a quarrel involving his brother, which led to his arrest after the neighbour reported him for issuing death threats.

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Ms Chebet recounted visiting her husband in custody a day before his death and finding him in distress.

“He was sweating and shivering, but the police ignored my pleas to take him to the hospital,” she said.

She added that upon returning the next morning, she was informed he had already been taken to the hospital, only to find him dead.

“I found him lying dead. His body was swollen, he had head injuries, a swollen eye and blood coming from his mouth and ears,” she said.

Calls for Justice and Independent Postmortem

Cheruiyot’s family is now demanding answers, questioning how a man who was reportedly healthy at the time of his arrest could deteriorate so rapidly while in police custody.

His uncle, Joseph Barno, has urged a comprehensive and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The relatives have already given statements to IPOA and are seeking financial support to carry out a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

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Police land cruiser headed to a crime scene
PHOTO/File