Police in Embu are investigating what they have described as death by suicide of a 24-year-old woman inside a police cell.

According to the police, Natasha Ng'endo Maina, a mother of two, was being held at the Karaba police station, at the Embu-Kirinyaga border, when she allegedly died by suicide.

The news of her death has left residents of Kiandegwa village in Mwea reeling in shock.

Reports indicate that the deceased was being held at the police station alongside her husband Joseph Maina Ndogo – after they were arrested for allegedly fighting inside a bar – and causing public disturbance.

Maina said he was arrested together with his wife after he followed her to a local bar demanding to know why she was imbibing without his knowledge.

A bitter exchange reportedly ensued between husband and wife, prompting the bar owner to call the police.

The two were whisked to the nearby Karaba police station and locked up separately.

“I was shocked to learn while still being held in the cell that my wife had died by suicide, an act she allegedly committed using her Lesso,” said Maina.

“I suspect she may have been tortured while being held in the cell. I am calling for thorough investigations into the matter," said a distraught Maina.

Mwea Sub-County police commander Crispinus Ogutu has dismissed claims that the deceased was beaten as falsehood, maintaining that she died by suicide inside the cell, an act she committed using a lesso.

"The woman could have died by suicide, possibly under the influence of alcohol as she was drunk when she was arrested. In fact, police officers were called by a member of public," said Ogutu.

Ogutu said a postmortem examination will be done on the body of the deceased as investigations continue.