Simon Warui, the man who died while in police custody at Mombasa Central Police Station last week, had injuries consistent with a fall from a great height, an autopsy has revealed.
The autopsy report released by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) revealed that Warui died from cardiorespiratory collapse due to a fracture or dislocation of the neck.
Warui had initially been reported missing in Nairobi on September 14, only to be later discovered to have passed away while in detention four days later. His death has since sparked public concern and renewed scrutiny of police conduct.
IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan confirmed that the Authority had launched a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding Warui's death.
"Our investigation team has already begun collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and reviewing police procedures relating to the incident," IPOA said in a statement.
In the statement, Hassan also emphasised that the safety of detainees remained paramount, and the body would work to ensure justice was served.
IPOA's statement came barely 24 hours after the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) revealed it had taken up the case. LSK openly questioned how Warui, who had no business in Mombasa, ended up in the county while his last sighting was in Nairobi.
Speaking on the circumstances surrounding Warui's death, authorities claimed he “fell from a wall in the cells" - a claim which rights groups dispute as implausible.
Predictably, Warui's case has reignited debate about accountability within police stations, despite repeated assurances from the government. Human rights groups continue to warn that deaths in custody remain a serious and unresolved concern in Kenya.
In August this year, 33-year-old Raymond Nachibati died in police custody in Kakamega County only hours after his arrest.
Nachibati had reportedly been arrested on the afternoon of August 9, 2025, alongside two other individuals following an alleged altercation. His body was later discovered inside a cell at Budonga Police Post, raising fresh questions about how he met his death so soon after being detained.
In arguably the most infamous case of police brutality in recent times, 31-year-old blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang lost his life at Central Police Station after enduring a brutal assault at the hands of officers on duty. His death sparked a wave of protests countrywide as citizens called for all parties involved to be brought to book.
