A man who was a key suspect in an alleged acid attack on two women has been found dead in his house in Umoja, Nairobi, in what police suspect was suicide.
Elivis Opiyo, a father of two, was found lying on the floor of his house at Amani Court Estate in Umoja Two on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
He was a driver attached to the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Police said officers from Buruburu Police Station who visited the scene found no visible physical injuries on his body.
An empty plastic cup, a spoon and a small quantity of a white substance suspected to be poison were found beside him.
Another similar substance, wrapped in clear nylon paper, was reportedly found on a wooden table.
Opiyo’s body was moved to the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital mortuary, where it is awaiting a postmortem examination to establish the cause of death.
His death was reported by his wife, who told police that the deceased had been battling depression for several months.
Police said no suicide note was recovered at the scene and investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death were continuing.
Opiyo had previously been arrested and arraigned over an alleged acid attack and was out on bail at the time of his death.
According to police, he was accused of orchestrating the attack by allegedly hiring another person to carry it out, suggesting that the assault may have been planned.
The case involved two women who were allegedly attacked with a corrosive substance in Nairobi.
One of the victims was a 24-year-old Seventh Day Adventist singer and member of the Redemption Ministers Choral Group. She is also the daughter of an SDA pastor.
Police investigations had linked the alleged attack to a revenge motive involving the victim and her former lover.
In the incident reported on March 17, police said the victims were walking home when they were confronted by a man who allegedly splashed a corrosive substance on them.
The victims suffered serious injuries to various parts of their bodies, including the face, chest, arms and lower limbs.
Police officers responding to the incident reportedly found a male suspect being assaulted by a mob before intervening.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged attack and the identity and role of the other suspect were subject to the ongoing court process before Opiyo’s death.
His death is now expected to have implications for the criminal case against him, with investigators also seeking to establish what may have led to his suspected suicide.
Cases of suspected suicide remain a concern in Kenya, with men accounting for a significant proportion of reported cases. Authorities and mental-health organisations have repeatedly called for people experiencing severe emotional distress, financial difficulties, relationship problems or other pressures to seek help.
Police have urged anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or facing serious emotional distress to seek immediate assistance from trusted relatives, health professionals or relevant support services.
The postmortem examination is expected to shed more light on Opiyo’s death.
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