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The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has opened a formal investigation into the death of Simon Warui, who was found dead inside a cell at Mombasa Central Police Station after what authorities describe as a suspected fall from height.
Nairobi, Kenya — September 25, 2025
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has opened a formal investigation into the death of Simon Warui, who was found dead inside a cell at Mombasa Central Police Station after what authorities describe as a suspected fall from height.
IPOA confirmed that its investigators are collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing police procedures related to Warui’s custody.
The post-mortem report, accessed by the Authority, states the cause of death was cardiorespiratory collapseassociated with a fracture-dislocation of the neck, findings consistent with a fall from a height.
IPOA Chair Ahmed Issack Hassan emphasized that the safety and rights of detainees are paramount and pledged to ensure accountability.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has appointed an advocate to represent Warui’s family and monitor the investigative process.
Warui’s family claims he was last seen in Nairobi and had been reported missing before being discovered dead in Mombasa. The route that brought him into Mombasa custody remains unclear.
Deaths in police custody remain a sensitive and recurring issue in Kenya’s public discourse, especially amid cases such as Albert Ojwang, a blogger who died while detained in Nairobi earlier in 2025.
IPOA was established under the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act, exercising oversight over the National Police Service and investigating misconduct in line with Article 244 of the Constitution.
Several human rights groups and legal bodies have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and recurrence of fatal incidents in detention facilities.
Risks & Challenges
If police procedures are found wanting (e.g., poor monitoring, weak cell security, failure to check detainees), it could prompt disciplinary or criminal charges.
The case may stoke public distrust in policing and revive calls for deeper reforms in custody practices.
Key Questions
How did Warui, reportedly from Nairobi, come to be held in Mombasa?
Was the fall accidental, self-harm, or the result of foul play?
Are there CCTV recordings, cell logs, or staff records that can clarify movements within the cell?
Will the officers on duty be suspended or face charges pending the probe?
Implications
A thorough and transparent investigation could strengthen public confidence in oversight mechanisms and deter future misconduct.
Conversely, lack of accountability or perceived cover-up could fuel protest, litigation, and calls for restructuring of police oversight.
