The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that one of its officers was found dead at the agency’s headquarters along Kiambu Road.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 23, the DCI clarified that the officer, identified as Corporal Muiruri and attached to DCI Kajiado North Sub-County, died following an incident at his home in Ngong on Saturday, February 21.
Officer Found Unresponsive in Ngong
According to the DCI, the officer was discovered lying unresponsive in his kitchen garden in Ngong by a neighbour’s house help — not by family members as earlier reported online.
The neighbour subsequently raised the alarm, prompting authorities to respond to the scene.
The agency emphasised that the death did not occur at its headquarters, distancing itself from what it termed as misleading reports circulating on various social media platforms.
Preliminary Findings Point to Electrocution
The DCI revealed that preliminary investigations suggest the officer may have been electrocuted while working in his garden.
Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) officers, working alongside personnel from the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), conducted scene documentation and identified a live electrical wire beneath the surface of the garden.
The exposed wire is believed to have caused electrocution as the officer tilled the land.
Detectives said the officer was rushed to Ngong Level IV Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The incident was formally reported at the Ngong Police Station, and investigations are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances that led to the tragic incident.
DCI Urges Public to Avoid Speculation
In its statement, the DCI urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information, noting that speculation only adds to the pain of grieving families.
“As investigations continue, we respectfully urge the public to refrain from speculation and to allow the family the privacy and dignity they deserve as they grieve this immense loss,” the agency stated.
The directorate extended its condolences to the officer’s family, friends, and colleagues.
“The entire DCI family extends our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Corporal Muiruri. We mourn with you the loss of a beloved son, colleague, and dedicated officer. May God grant you strength, comfort, and abundant grace to carry you through this painful time,” the statement read.
Separate Electrocution Incident in Kariobangi North
The clarification from the DCI came amid separate reports of another fatal electrocution incident in Kariobangi North, Nairobi, on Saturday evening.
According to police reports, a man lost his life at around 7:45 pm after allegedly being electrocuted while removing clothes from a drying line.
Neighbours reportedly discovered him and rushed him to Jumuia Hospital in Huruma, where doctors confirmed his death.
Police officers from the Kariobangi North Police Station responded to the report and proceeded to the hospital, where they found the lifeless body lying on a hospital bed with no visible injuries.
The body was later transferred to the City Mortuary, pending a post-mortem examination to determine the precise cause of death.
Safety Concerns Over Electrical Hazards
The two incidents have once again highlighted the dangers posed by faulty or exposed electrical wiring in residential areas.
Electrical accidents, particularly involving hidden live wires or poorly installed connections, remain a significant safety concern in many parts of the country.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the live wire discovered in Ngong was part of a faulty domestic installation or an external power connection.
Investigations by police and technical experts from KPLC are expected to determine liability and whether any negligence was involved.
Ongoing Investigations
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to provide further updates once forensic examinations and technical assessments are completed.
For now, the DCI has reiterated that the officer’s death occurred at his home in Ngong and not at the agency’s headquarters, urging the public to rely on official communication channels for accurate information.
The tragic incidents serve as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with electrical hazards and the importance of proper safety measures in residential settings.