- Police in Eldoret have launched an investigation into the death of a remandee who allegedly took his own life while in custody.
- The deceased, 24-year-old Collins Cheruiyot, was facing charges of breaking into his mother’s bar and stealing beer in Burnt Forest, Uasin Gishu County.
- He had initially pleaded guilty but later changed his plea to not guilty.
- Cheruiyot reportedly hanged himself after failing to convince his mother to withdraw the case.
Turbo Sub County Police Commander Patrick Wekesa confirmed the incident, stating that Cheruiyot had been in custody after being charged with breaking into his mother’s bar. Initially, he pleaded guilty to the charges but later changed his plea to not guilty.
Before his death, Cheruiyot had repeatedly asked the court to delay the case, hoping his mother would withdraw the charges, but she declined.
On Wednesday, Cheruiyot appeared before Eldoret Senior Resident Magistrate Kimani Mukabi, who scheduled the next mention of his case for March 27, 2025.
Shortly after returning to the holding cell, he allegedly hanged himself. Fellow inmates and court orderlies tried to rescue him, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).
Police have launched an investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding Cheruiyot’s death. His body has since been transferred to the MTRH morgue as authorities seek to determine whether any foul play was involved.
