Man Reported Missing in Nairobi Found Dead in Mombasa Police Toilet

A 26-year-old man has died while in custody at Mombasa Central Police Station, with a post-mortem revealing injuries that contradict the police account of events.

Simon Warui, who had been reported missing in Nairobi on 14 September, was found days later near Mombasa Catholic Cathedral in a disoriented state. A member of the public took him to the nearby police station after he was seen wandering and appearing mentally unstable. 

A nun who spoke with Warui said he had been offered food by a priest before being handed over to officers. Warui’s family said they travelled to Mombasa after locating him, intending to secure his release. 

Upon arrival, they were informed that he had died in a cell. Police stated that Warui sustained fatal injuries while attempting to climb a wall inside the detention area. However, an autopsy conducted at Coast General Hospital showed that he suffered neck fractures and died from cerebral haemorrhage caused by oxygen deprivation to the brain.

Godfrey Gichuru, Warui’s cousin, questioned the police account and said Warui had used an unfamiliar phone number to contact his wife and brother from Mombasa. Another family friend, Daniel Gicheha, claimed police officers denied them access when they brought food to Warui on the night of his death.

Human rights groups have raised concerns about Warui’s treatment while in custody. Julius Ogogoh, executive director of the Centre for Litigation Trust, said the incident reflects ongoing issues with safety in police detention facilities. He called for a judicial inquest and criticised the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) for what he described as a lack of public confidence in its investigations.

Warui, who appeared to be in psychological distress at the time of his arrest, did not receive medical or psychiatric attention before being placed in a cell.

Civil society organisations are now calling for a thorough and transparent investigation.