The family of Simon Warui, a 26-year-old from Umoja estate in Nairobi, is asking for answers after he died in unclear circumstances while being held at Mombasa’s Central Police Station.
Warui went missing from his Nairobi home on Sunday, September 14.
His family searched everywhere but could not find him.
Days later, they learned he was locked up in Mombasa after he borrowed a church guard’s phone to call his wife. Relieved to know he was alive, the family travelled to the coast to see him. But when they arrived at the police station, they were shocked to be told Simon had already died.
A post-mortem at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital showed Simon died from cardiorespiratory collapse caused by a fractured neck, which doctors said was consistent with falling from a height.
The examination also found broken arms, a head wound, spinal bleeding, and ligature marks on his body.
Police Explanation on Simon Warui Death
Police said Simon had been arrested in connection with a theft case.
And that he died while trying to escape by climbing over the police station wall.
But his family and human rights activists doubt this story.
They questioned how a fall could cause such serious injuries, why his personal belongings have not been returned.
And where the police officers on duty were at the time, and why CCTV footage from that day has not been released.
Simon’s death comes just months after another man, Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, also died mysteriously in police custody in June. That case also raised concerns about police conduct.
Simon leaves behind a wife, three children, and a grieving family.
By Vivian K.