Migori family seeks answers after relative reportedly dies in custody

A family in Kuria West, Migori County, is seeking justice after their relative, 40-year-old Alan Kamau Kimani, reportedly died while in police custody at Komomwamu Police Post.

According to human rights activist and Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, his organisation was recently contacted to provide assistance following Kimani’s death.

Khalid stated that Kimani was arrested on Thursday, September 25, for allegedly cutting down trees.

In a post on X, Khalid said that Kimani's mother, Mary Wambui, was informed of her son’s arrest via phone and later visited him at the police post.

Wambui reportedly claimed that she was asked to pay Sh15,000 to secure Kimani’s release, an amount she could not afford.

The following day, she received a call from a police officer allegedly warning her about consequences if she did not provide the money.

A few hours later, Wambui was informed that her son had died.

Khalid noted that Wambui said the police told her that Kimani had died by suicide while in custody.

He added that the claims have caused tension in the area, and the family is now calling for the arrest of the officers involved and justice for their relative.

Vocal Africa is reportedly in touch with the family and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to facilitate an autopsy and assist in the investigation.

This incident in Migori comes amid other reported deaths in police custody in Kenya.

In Mombasa, 35-year-old Simon Warui died while in custody at Central Police Station under circumstances that raised concern.

His family had initially reported him missing in Nairobi, only to later learn that he had been detained in Mombasa, where he had passed away.

In a statement on Tuesday, IPOA chairperson Issack Hassan said the authority has launched a comprehensive investigation into Warui’s death.

The IPOA team is reportedly collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing police procedures.

Hassan confirmed that the post-mortem report indicated the cause of death as cardiorespiratory collapse due to fracture or dislocation of the neck, consistent with a fall from a height.

He emphasised that the safety and rights of individuals in police custody remain a priority and that IPOA will work diligently to ensure justice is served.

“We assure the public that IPOA will handle this incident with the seriousness it deserves and further extend condolences to the family of the deceased,” Hassan added.

He appealed for calmness as they conducted the investigation.

Earlier, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) took up the case of Warui, questioning how Warui,  who had no known reason to be in Mombasa, ended up more than 480 kilometres from Nairobi and in police custody.

“This raises grave concerns,” LSK President Faith Adhiambo said in a statement, confirming that the society has appointed a lawyer to represent Warui’s family and follow up on investigations.