Nyandarua Senator John Methu has called on the National Assembly’s Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations Committee to provide a detailed explanation regarding the death of 26-year-old Simon Warui, who died while being held at the Central Police Station in Mombasa.

Raising the matter in the Senate on Thursday, October 2, 2025, the senator termed the incident a matter of national concern that requires immediate accountability from the relevant authorities. Warui had earlier been reported missing on September 14, 2025, from the Umoja Area in Nairobi before later being discovered in police custody.

According to police, Warui fell to his death while attempting to climb a wall within the cells, a narrative that Methu refused to agree with.

The senator outlined a number of issues the committee should address, including the legality of Warui’s detention, whether due process as stipulated under the Criminal Procedure Code was followed, and if his family was notified of his arrest.

He also demanded details on whether an independent post-mortem had been conducted and if the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had commenced investigations as mandated by law.

“The committee should address the following: number one, the circumstances surrounding Mr Warui’s arrest, detention and death, including the timeline and actions taken by the police officers at the central police station in Mombasa.”

“Number two, the legal basis for his detention, including compliance with section 37 of the Criminal Procedure Court, the filing of an apprehension report with a magistrate, and whether his family was duly notified,” Methu stated.

Methu further tasked the committee to clarify the accountability measures in place for custodial deaths, including disciplinary or criminal action taken against officers implicated, and whether any of them have been suspended in line with the National Police Service Act.

Custodial deaths

Additionally, the senator requested records of custodial deaths reported to IPOA between January 2024 and July 2025 in Nairobi Central, Kamukunji, Embakasi Central, Nakuru Central, Rongai, and Mombasa Central police stations, highlighting concerns of non-compliance.

“Number three, the status and findings of any investigations into the cause of death, including whether an independent post mortem was conducted and Whether the independent policing oversight authority, high power, has initiated enquiries as required by law number four, the accountability measures in place for custodial deaths, including whether any officers involved have been suspended or subjected to disciplinary or criminal investigation under the sixth schedule of the National Police Service,” Methu said.

IPOA’s probe

This comes days after IPOA launched an investigation into the mysterious death of Warui.

“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.