Sadness and shock engulfed a village in Gem after their kin allegedly committed suicide inside a police cell.

Fredrick Odhiambo Ochieng’, a man who was detained at Ramula police post in Gem sub-county, has been found dead in his cell.

The 40-year-old had been arrested following a Magistrate Court in Siaya issuing an arrest warrant due to his repeated failure to appear in court; the court went ahead and detained the mother who was a surety.

A police incident report obtained by Nation reveals the grim details. Ochieng’ reportedly took his own life using his shirt while confined in the police cell.

“At 4:30 PM, prisoner Fredrick Odhiambo Ochieng was found to have committed suicide in his cell, using his shirt,” the report disclosed. “A team from the National Police Service in Yala sub-county rushed to the scene, discovering his lifeless body hanging from the window grills of the police post cell.”

The report paints a picture of a man cornered by his circumstances. “Ochieng’ had evaded court several times, prompting an arrest warrant against him and his surety.

Today, officers from Ramula police post finally apprehended him for a court appearance scheduled for tomorrow. He was placed in a temporary cell, awaiting transfer to Yala police station. It was here, in this moment of despair, that he took his own life using his shirt, tying it to the window grills.”