By Mandere Onyinkwa
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has given details surrounding the arrest and subsequent death of Dennis Aremo Osiemo, who was found hanging inside a cell at Narumoru Police Station in Nyeri County.
Osiemo was found dead on Sunday, September 20, 2026, a day before he was scheduled to appear in court over an assault case. His death has since sparked questions on social media, prompting the DCI to issue a statement on Tuesday.
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The DCI said Osiemo had been arrested in connection with a July 2 assault reported at Narumoru Police Station. He was accused of attacking a former employer at her home, assaulting and stabbing her several times before fleeing.
According to the investigators, the woman was admitted to Tumutumu Hospital, where she remained for nine days. She later raised concerns about the handling of the case with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in Nanyuki.
The ODPP subsequently directed that the investigation be taken over by the DCI, with the case file forwarded to the Kieni East Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer on September 3.
Detectives traced Osiemo to Kisii, where he was arrested on September 18 with the assistance of the Masaba North SCCIO.
He was initially booked at Keroka Police Station before DCI officers from Kieni East collected him and took him to Narumoru Police Station on September 19.
The DCI said Osiemo was processed and his statement recorded on the same day.
“He was returned to the cells after being observed to be in a normal condition,” the DCI said.
He was expected to be arraigned in court on Monday, September 21, in connection with the assault case.
However, on Sunday, officers found him hanging from ventilation grills inside the police cell.
The scene was processed in the presence of officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), senior police officers and a relative before his body was moved to Narumoru Mortuary pending an autopsy.
IPOA has taken over investigations into the death. The Authority is mandated to provide independent civilian oversight over policing in Kenya, including investigating deaths and serious injuries arising from police action.
The DCI said it would cooperate fully with the independent investigation.
“The DCI will accord the Authority full cooperation,” the statement said.
The Directorate also called for restraint as the investigation proceeds, urging the public to rely on verified information rather than unconfirmed claims circulating online.
It extended its condolences to Osiemo’s family and friends, saying the independent process was intended to establish the full circumstances surrounding his death.
