Gatundu: Police on the spot after man allegedly choked on 20 rolls of Bhang in custody

Residents of Gatundu South have erupted in anger following the alleged killing of a young man, Paul Njuguna, while in police custody.

According to a police report, 30-year-old Njuguna allegedly choked on rolls of bhang he had been arrested with, reportedly swallowing them in an attempt to destroy evidence.

He was said to have died in the Kiganjo area of Gatundu South just hours after his arrest.

However, locals have disputed the police account, claiming Njuguna was brutally assaulted while being detained.

“He wasn’t even walking—he was being dragged through the air. I had to call elders, women, and boda boda riders to witness how they had left him lying there,” said James Karanja, a resident of Kiganjo.

Another resident, Patrick Njoroge, recounted seeing the man being beaten publicly before being taken away.

“Walikuwa wanapiga mtu wetu hadi wamama wanapiga nduru. Wakati walimfikisha station, wakatuambia mtu wetu ametuwacha,” he said, meaning, “They were beating our man until women screamed. When they reached the station, they told us he had died.”

The disturbing sequence of events sparked outrage in the community, with furious locals storming the nearby police station demanding justice. Some threatened to burn down the station if action was not taken.

“Tungekuwa tunadhani kijana wetu alipotea kumbe aliuliwa,” said another resident — “We would have thought our son disappeared, only to realize he was killed.”

In response, Gatundu South Deputy County Commissioner Rose Chege dismissed the brutality allegations, insisting that the post-mortem results showed Njuguna died from suffocation after swallowing bhang wrapped in a plastic bag.

“The postmortem revealed that he had wrapped bhang in nylon paper and swallowed it before being searched. It choked him, and the intact package was recovered—it remains an exhibit,” Chege stated.

The incident has sparked mixed reactions online, with many Kenyans questioning the official narrative.

On Facebook, Mary Tubi wrote:

“Eti swallowing bhang. Wee ngoja mimi nikalale, sasa sio kujigongesha wall,” — implying disbelief at the explanation.

Another user commented,

“Swali langu ni moja—kama alimeza, mbona wamchape? Nasi basi wangempeleka hosi zitolewe basi,” questioning why police allegedly beat him if he had already swallowed the drugs.

Victoria Mamake Eugene addedm “May this brutality end in this country, ooh Lord.”