A 40-year-old man, John Mugendi, accused of murdering his wife in Kagio Town, Kirinyaga County, died by suicide while in police custody. Authorities reported that Mugendi hanged himself using his t-shirt in his cell at Kiamaciri Police Station, Mwea-West Sub-county, on Tuesday, the same day his wife, Catherine Wanjiku, was being buried in Kiaragana village.
Mugendi had been arrested on November 17, 2024, after fatally stabbing his wife. He had been remanded to allow police to complete their investigation by December 9, 2024. The tragedy has sparked concerns over the rising mental health crisis in the region.
Kirinyaga County’s Executive Member for Gender and Youth, Millicent Nyawira, highlighted the county’s commitment to addressing mental health issues. Under Governor Anne Waiguru, mental health programs have been introduced in local medical facilities to tackle these challenges.
This case underscores the urgent need for increased mental health support within both law enforcement and the wider community.
