In a tragic turn of events, Simon Maina, a tout initially detained for the absence of a PSV badge, has met an unfortunate end while in police custody at the Industrial Area Remand facility.
The chain of events began on November 15, 2023, when Maina was apprehended for a violation of dress code regulations. Despite pleading not guilty, and faced with an inability to meet the cash bail requirement, he was remanded at the Industrial Area.
Two days following his arrest, Maina fell severely ill, prompting urgent transportation to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his condition on the evening of November 17. The circumstances surrounding his demise only became public knowledge when prison authorities reported the incident to the police on December 5, adding an element of mystery to the unfolding tragedy.
A postmortem examination has been scheduled to determine the cause of Maina’s death, shedding light on the broader challenges faced by minor offenders within the prison system. Similar to Maina, many individuals find themselves incarcerated due to an inability to afford cash bail or potentially facing incorrect charges.
The overcrowded prison system, accommodating 53,438 inmates, has raised concerns, prompting officials to consider releasing over 4,000 minor offenders to ease the strain.
In a distinct incident along Mombasa Road near Nairobi National Park, authorities are investigating the death of David Kivosyo, whose lifeless body displayed signs of a violent assault. Bloodstains on his nose and ears, along with visible injuries, suggest a potential beating as the cause of death. Identified through documents found on his person, Kivosyo’s demise is now the subject of a thorough investigation by the police.
