Residents of Nyamusi village in Nyamira North were left in shock on Monday when a 21-year-old man consumed poison after police officers stormed his house to arrest him.
The man identified as Oscar Monda Omosa is reportedly said to be part of a gang terrorising locals in the village.
Confirming the incident, Nyamira County Commissioner Amos Mariba said police officers went to arrest him at his house over theft but he took poison instead.
"Omosa was successfully traced by police officers to his house because he has been among the thugs stealing from locals. When he spotted police officers outside his house he locked himself in the house and consumed poison," said the commissioner.
Mariba said neighbours managed to break into the house and rushed the deceased to Nyamira County Hospital for treatment but died shortly after while receiving treatment.
He said locals' efforts to ask the deceased to stop stealing fell on deaf ears.
"Omosa died at the hospital while receiving treatment. Police officers did not manage to arrest him since he had consumed poison before he could be nabbed," said Mariba.
The security boss added that the body of the deceased was moved to Nyamira Hospital morgue.