Family alleges cover-up over Simon Warui’s death in police custody

The family alleges a cover-up by police and is questioning the circumstances surrounding his death, calling for a thorough and impartial investigation.

Warui’s sudden and mysterious death comes as a double blow for a family already mourning another loved one.

The family of Simon Warui is still grappling with grief following his mysterious death at the central police station.

On Wednesday, they arrived at the Montezuma Funeral Home in Thika to collect the body of another relative who recently passed away.

In an emotional recount, they described the weight of two tragedies that have struck the family in quick succession.

“Mazishi ya sa hii ni ya side ya bibi grandmother alifariki sasa unaona ni msiba mara mbili tunamzika leo Simon tumzike Friday,” said Paul Wachira, Warui’s cousin.

As the family continues to mourn, they are questioning the findings of the postmortem report. The autopsy revealed that Warui died from cardiorespiratory collapse due to a fractured and dislocated neck, injuries described as consistent with a fall from a height. But for the family, the report has only deepened their doubts.

“Nataka tu kujua ni nini ilimhapenia wanasema alijiua lakini hakujiua mwenye anajua my husband ni mtu hana ubaya na mtu,” said Mary Njeri, Warui’s widow.

“If it is indeed he committed suicide as they suggest, then he would have committed suicide in Nairobi or his home area, why Mombasa?” questioned activist Walid Sketty.

The family is also seeking answers about how Warui ended up in Mombasa, the charges under which he was detained, and what really happened inside the cells that led to his death.

“Tulienda hadi central police tukaona kuna hadi CCTV tunataka kujua in what state Simo aliingia kwa cell na kama alikuwa alive mbona atoke kwa cell akiwa hayuko,” said Antony Kariuki, Warui’s brother.

“Alikuwa happiness yetu, alikuwa happiness ya mtoi but chenye nitasema whoever did that to him awe na mali au power kuna mungu. Kilio yenye mtoto wangu ako nayo sa hii, simu ikipigwa ni daddy. Pain iko kwa innocent child,” added Mary Njeri.

Human rights organizations are demanding accountability, calling for the suspension of the officers on duty and the station commander to pave the way for a thorough and impartial investigation.

“We fail to understand why no action has been taken by now. The OCS should have been suspended alongside the officers who were at the station when Warui was booked in,” said human rights activist Hussein Khalid.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has promised to speed up its investigations, confirming that they have already obtained CCTV footage from the station, evidence they believe could hold critical clues to unravel the mystery surrounding Warui’s death.