A 23-year-old man, Edmond Rono, died at a police station in Kericho County after a late-night incident that has raised concern among residents and authorities.
Police say the young man arrived at the station while intoxicated and officers placed him in temporary custody for his safety and further questioning. Hours later, officers found that he had died within the station compound.
According to police sources, the man came from a nearby village and rode to the station during the night. Officers on duty noticed he looked heavily drunk and unsettled.
They chose to hold him briefly as they assessed the situation and planned next steps. His condition suggested distress, but no one expected the outcome that followed.
At some point before morning, he left the holding area without officers noticing immediately. His motorcycle remained at the station.
When officers conducted early morning checks, they discovered that he had died inside the compound. Authorities secured the scene and began standard procedures.
Family members told officers that the young man had struggled emotionally before and had shown self-harm risk in the past. The family expressed deep shock and grief and asked for a careful review of what happened during the night.
They described him as someone who needed help and support and said the loss has devastated relatives and friends.
Police transferred the body to Kapkatet Hospital mortuary as investigations began. Officers said they followed normal intake steps for an intoxicated civilian but admitted the incident shows how fast situations can change when someone faces emotional or mental distress.
Internal reviews now focus on supervision, monitoring, and response timing.
Local leaders say the case highlights a wider problem involving alcohol abuse and untreated mental health challenges among young adults.
Community representatives now call for stronger cooperation between families, health workers, and law enforcement so that at-risk individuals receive faster psychological support instead of only short-term detention.
Police urged the public to take signs of emotional distress seriously and to guide affected people toward professional help early.
They also plan to review handling procedures for intoxicated or distressed individuals to reduce future risk.
Investigators continue to reconstruct the timeline and determine whether any procedural gaps contributed to the death.
The case has triggered renewed calls for better mental health services, crisis response training, and community awareness to prevent similar tragedies.
