The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has confirmed it is investigating the death of 26-year-old Simon Warui, who died while being held at Mombasa Central Police Station.
In a statement on Monday, IPOA revealed that Simon Warui, who died while in custody at Mombasa’s Central Police Station in Mvita, succumbed to injuries linked to a fall from a height.
“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) wishes to inform the public that it has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Simon Warui, which occurred on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, at the Central police station, Mvita Sub-county within Mombasa County. This is to state that the IPOA investigation team has already begun collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and reviewing police procedures relating to the incident,” IPOA said.
The authority disclosed that a post-mortem report had already been obtained, showing that Warui died from cardiorespiratory collapse due to fracture dislocation of the neck.
“Further, it has obtained the post-mortem report which establishes the cause of death to be ‘as a result of cardiorespiratory collapse due to fracture or dislocation of the neck, which is consistent with a fall from a height’. IPOA emphasises that safety and rights of individuals placed in police custody are paramount and will work diligently to ensure justice is served,” the oversight body added.
The agency also conveyed condolences to Warui’s family and assured the public that the matter would be treated with urgency.
IPOA underlined its mandate to protect the rights of individuals in custody and promised to follow the case to its conclusion.
Warui went missing from his Umoja estate home in Nairobi on September 14, 2025. His family later discovered he had died three days earlier at Mombasa Central Police Station.
A postmortem at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital showed severe injuries, including a neck ligature mark, scalp wound, fractured vertebra, spinal haemorrhage, and dislocation of the C7-T1 vertebra.
Police records state his body was found in a washroom with blood from his nose, with the autopsy requested by Constable Kevin Sawe.
His family and human rights groups are questioning the circumstances of his arrest, transfer to Mombasa, lack of CCTV/OB records, and missing personal items.
