The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has opened an investigation into the death of Simon Warui, who died while in police custody at the Central Police Station in Mvita, Mombasa.

In a statement released on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, IPOA confirmed that a post-mortem had been carried out. The autopsy showed that Warui’s death was caused by cardiorespiratory collapse following a fracture and dislocation of the neck. The report stated that the injuries were consistent with 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,” the authority stated.

“This is to state that the IPOA investigation team has already began collecting evidence; interviewing witnesses and reviewing police procedures relating to the incident. 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 of dislocation of the neck which is consistent with a fall from a height”.”

IPOA said its investigators had already begun collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and reviewing police procedures surrounding the incident.

Warui’s death has drawn attention because it comes only weeks after the unexplained death of Albert Ojwang in a different police station. Rights groups and family members now say the two cases reflect a troubling pattern of deaths in custody. IPOA has assured the public that it will treat the matter with urgency and seriousness and promised justice for the family.

Family denied access, questions

The late Warui had been reported missing in Nairobi on Sunday, September 14, 2025, by his relatives in Umoja I Estate. His disappearance was filed at Kamukunji Police Station. Three days later, his wife reported that she had been called by a church guard in Mombasa, who informed her that Warui had been detained at the Central Police Station.

Relatives who travelled to Mombasa claim they were denied access to him when they first arrived at the station. According to his cousin, police later took the family to a washroom where they were told Warui had been found dead, with blood oozing from his nose. The post-mortem also showed visible injuries on his neck and hand, and signs of oxygen deprivation.

Human rights activists have also questioned the official explanation. Wallid Sketty asked why Warui was taken to Mombasa, why he was detained, and how he could have attempted to scale a wall inside a police facility without officers noticing.

“Even if he was climbing, where were the officers on duty?” he asked.

IPOA has appealed for calm as investigations continue. Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan said the authority will uphold the rights and safety of individuals in custody, and extended condolences to Warui’s family.