A postmortem examination has revealed that a man who died in police custody in Migori County lost his life due to asphyxia.
In a statement on Thursday, October 2, Vocal Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid confirmed the postmortem results, raising fresh questions about the circumstances leading to his death.
“Alan Kamau Kimani, who lost his life inside a police post in Migori county, died as a result of asphyxia – loss of oxygen,” he said.
According to Khalid, the events surrounding the postmortem took a disturbing twist when a police officer linked to the case appeared at the examination room.
“In a surprise turn of events, the same police officer who was demanding Ksh15,000 before Alan died, sneaked into the postmortem room and was questioning the pathologist, investigators and family members,” he added.
The incident raised suspicion of interference with the investigation, and Khalid noted that the officer fled after being confronted.
“When his identity was revealed and he was asked why he was interfering, he hurriedly left. The prime suspect in the matter is directly interfering in an ongoing investigation,” he concluded.
The 40-year-old man died while in police custody at Komomwamu Police Post.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 30, Khalid said Kimani was arrested late last week in connection with allegations of cutting down trees before being detained.
According to Khalif, Kimani’s mother, Mary Wambui, says she received a series of troubling calls from officers shortly before learning of her son’s death.
“40 years old Alan Kamau Kimani was arrested on Thursday, 25th September for allegedly cutting down trees. He was taken to Komomwamu Police Post in Kuria West, Migori County. Kimani’s mother, Mary Wambui, said she was informed of Kimani’s arrest by a police officer through a phone call and went to see him at the police post,” he said.
Khalid added that Wambui was allegedly pressured for money in order to secure her son’s release and later threatened with dire consequences if she did not get the money.
“She claims she was asked to part with Ksh15,000 to have Kimani released, an amount she didn’t have. The next day Friday, 26th September, Wambui received a call from an officer at the police post who allegedly threatened her with dire consequences if she does not go with the money,” he added.
According to Khalid, it was on the same day when Wambui received a call informing her of her son’s death.
“A few hours later on the same Friday, she received another call from the same officer, this time informing her of her son’s death. Wambui says police told her that Kimani committed suicide while in custody,” he further said.
Khalid confirmed that Vocal Africa is already working with oversight bodies, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), to establish the facts.
“These claims have raised a lot of concerns and tension in the area. The family is now calling for the arrest of the police officers involved and justice for their kin.
“Vocal Africa is in touch with the family and Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to undertake the autopsy and commence the process of finding justice for Alan Kamau Kimani,” he concluded.
