Kiambu, Kenya; Tension gripped Kiganjo in Gatundu, Kiambu County, after an angry mob stormed and vandalized a police station following the mysterious death of a suspect who had been arrested for allegedly possessing marijuana.

According to police reports, the suspect, identified as Paul Njuguna Kinyanjui, 30, was apprehended on Wednesday during a routine patrol. Officers said he was found with rolls of cannabis sativa and taken in for questioning.

However, as he was being arrested, Kinyanjui allegedly swallowed some of the marijuana he had hidden in his pocket  an act police believe led to his suffocation. He reportedly developed breathing difficulties and collapsed about 50 metres from the police station.

Officers rushed him to Gatundu Level Five Hospital, where medical personnel tried to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead minutes later.

News of his death quickly spread, sparking outrage among locals who accused the police of foul play. A mob soon gathered at Kiganjo Police Station, demanding answers.

The situation escalated as the crowd began pelting stones at the building, damaging property and partially setting ablaze the crime office. The OCS’s office was also vandalized, with its roof and windowpanes shattered.

Police said the mob attempted to torch a semi-permanent structure housing a generator, but officers managed to extinguish the fire before it spread. Reinforcements were called in from nearby stations to contain the situation.

One suspect was arrested during the confrontation and is expected to face arson charges. The rest of the attackers dispersed as additional security personnel arrived.

Authorities say they are awaiting the results of a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of Kinyanjui’s death. “The autopsy will guide our next steps,” a police source said, urging residents to remain calm as investigations continue.