Simon Warui, a 26-year-old resident of Nairobi’s Umoja estate, mysteriously vanished, leaving his family in distress. Days later, the young father of three was found dead in a cell at Mombasa’s Central Police Station. Authorities claim Warui sustained fatal injuries while attempting to escape custody, but his family and human rights activists strongly contest this narrative, raising concerns about a possible cover-up in yet another case of custodial death in Kenya.
Warui’s disappearance began when he was reportedly taken from his Embakasi home under unclear circumstances. His family only learnt of his detention in Mombasa after he briefly contacted his wife using a Catholic church guard’s phone.
Hope turned to heartbreak when they arrived at the station to find him dead. A post-mortem conducted on September 18 at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital revealed a neck fracture, spinal injuries, and ligature marks, suggesting trauma inconsistent with the police’s escape story.
Human rights groups, including Vocal Africa, have labelled Warui’s death as a potential extrajudicial killing. Activist Walid Sketty highlighted discrepancies, noting that CCTV footage from the station remains unreleased and Warui’s personal belongings, including his phone, are missing.
“The police claim he fell from a wall, but where were the officers during this alleged escape?” Sketty enquired, urging for transparency. The family, devastated by the loss, demands answers.
David Gicheha, a close friend, recounted their futile efforts to see Warui upon arriving in Mombasa. “We were shuffled between the DCI and the station, only to be told he was already gone,” he said, his voice heavy with grief.
Warui’s cousin, Geodfrey Gichuru, emphasised their need for truth, rejecting the official account as implausible. This incident has reignited public outrage over custodial deaths in Kenya, with comparisons drawn to the case of Albert Ojwang, a blogger who died in police custody in June 2025 under similarly suspicious circumstances.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are now under pressure to conduct a thorough probe.
Activists have threatened protests across Mombasa if justice is delayed, amplifying calls for accountability. Warui leaves behind a grieving wife and a three-year-old child.
As the community mourns, the demand for an independent autopsy and the release of CCTV footage grows louder, with many hoping this tragedy will prompt reforms to prevent further custodial deaths.
