The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the death of Simon Warui, who died while in custody at the Central Police Station in Mvita, Mombasa County, on Wednesday, September 17.
In a statement on Tuesday, IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan said investigators have already begun collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing police procedures linked to the incident.
A post-mortem report indicated that Warui died from cardiorespiratory collapse caused by a fractured and dislocated neck, injuries consistent with a fall from a height. IPOA pledged to ensure justice is served and extended condolences to the deceased’s family.
“The safety and rights of individuals in police custody are paramount, and IPOA will handle this incident with the seriousness it deserves,” Hassan said, while appealing for calm as the probe continues.
Human rights defenders have already protested Warui’s death, terming it part of a worrying trend of deaths in police custody. Civil society groups have in the past accused police of torture, extrajudicial killings, and cover-ups in detention facilities.
Kenya has recorded several cases of custodial deaths in recent years, with watchdog groups urging greater accountability and reforms within the National Police Service. IPOA, established in 2011, is mandated to investigate complaints against the police, particularly where human rights violations are alleged.
