The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has raised concerns over the mysterious death of Simon Warui, who reportedly died while in police custody at the Central Police Station in Mombasa.
In a statement on Monday, September 22, LSK President Faith Odhiambo confirmed that it has appointed an advocate to represent the family and monitor investigations into the incident.
“The Law Society of Kenya is closely following up on the case of Mr. Simon Warui who died while in police custody at Central Police Station, Mombasa.
“We have appointed an Advocate to act on behalf of the family in monitoring the investigations and ensuring that the full truth and circumstances leading to Mr. Warui’s death are uncovered, and the persons involved are held to account,” she said.
LSK added that it is working closely with civil society partners and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to push for swift and conclusive investigations.
“We have received reports from the family that indicate he went missing at around 10AM on Sunday and the same reported at Embakasi Police Station.
“The circumstances under which he wound up dead in a police station in Mombasa remain unclear, but we are working closely with our Civil Society partners and the KNCHR to ensure this matter is investigated swiftly and conclusively,” she added.
LSK also expressed gratitude to the Mombasa branch chair and her team for their efforts in pursuing the matter.
“We thank the chair of the Mombasa Law Society and her team for all the work they have put in to resolve this matter. We will provide an update on any findings made and continue to pursue justice for Mr. Warui and his family,” she further said.
Warui went missing from his home in Umoja, Nairobi, on Sunday, September 14.
His family was later informed that he had been arrested and taken to Central Police Station in Mombasa.
Authorities alleged that he was arrested on suspicion of theft and claimed he died after attempting to scale a wall in the cells, resulting in a fatal fall.
His body was discovered at the police station on Thursday, September 18; post-mortem conducted at Coast General Hospital revealed that Warui suffered a fractured neck and internal bleeding, which led to cardiorespiratory collapse.
The Warui family, supported by activists and human rights organizations, have expressed disbelief at the police explanation.
They have questioned the plausibility of the alleged fall and demanded transparency, including the release of CCTV footage from the police cells.
“Simon Warui disappeared from Umoja. Four days later, his body surfaced inside Central Police Station, Mombasa, with police claiming he ‘fell from a wall in the cells.’ Such an explanation is not only implausible but a cruel insult to the dignity of his life and to the truth,” Vocal Africa said in a statement.
