A suspect, Simon Warui, collapsed and died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody at Mombasa’s Central Police Station. Warui, 35, had been arrested on September 17, 2025, for stealing by a servant, following a complaint. Witnesses reported that he appeared weak and anxious when he was brought to the station by officers from the Urban division.
Upon arrival, Warui requested to use the toilet, a request that was granted by the authorities. Shortly after entering, police officers at the station heard a loud noise, followed by a bang. Rushing to the scene, they found Warui on the floor, with blood oozing from his nose. The officers immediately raised the alarm, and Warui was rushed to the local hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The police have launched an investigation into the incident, while Warui’s body has been moved to the mortuary for an autopsy. Law enforcement authorities have also informed the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) of the case, as required by law. IPOA is responsible for investigating such incidents, especially those that occur within police premises.
Cases of sudden deaths in police custody are not uncommon, and many have previously led to investigations into possible police misconduct. In some instances, investigations have revealed that victims had been assaulted by officers, which contributed to their deaths. Such cases have often resulted in legal action against the involved officers.
In a related case, another man, Abednego Wambua, was found dead in his home in the Ziwani area of Nairobi. Wambua had been missing for several days, and when his neighbors attempted to contact him without success, they broke down the door to his house. Inside, they discovered his body under a pile of clothes. Police have reported that there were no visible injuries on his body, and an autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death.
The rising number of unexplained deaths in Kenya has prompted increased scrutiny, with investigations underway to determine the cause behind these tragic incidents.
