LSK launches probe into death of Simon Warui in Mombasa police custody

Simon Warui, a Nairobi resident, who had gone missing before he was found dead at Mombasa Police Station. (Photo: Handout)

By Lucy Mumbi
Monday, September 22, 2025

LSK President Faith Odhiambo said the society has appointed an advocate to act on behalf of the family and closely monitor the investigation to hold those responsible to account.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has opened a probe into the death of Simon Warui, who died while in police custody at Central Police Station in Mombasa, vowing to ensure the full truth is uncovered.

In a statement on Monday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo said the society has appointed an advocate to act on behalf of the family and closely monitor the investigation to hold those responsible to account.

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“The Law Society of Kenya is closely following up on the case of 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 his death are uncovered, and the persons involved are held to account,” Odhiambo said.

She added that the society had received reports from the family indicating that Warui went missing at around 10:00 am on Sunday, September 14, and was reported missing 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,” Odhiambo said.

The LSK also thanked the chair of the Mombasa Law Society and her team for their efforts in resolving the matter, promising to provide updates on any findings and continue pursuing justice for Warui and his family.

Warui, 26, a father of a three-year-old, had been reported missing from his Umoja estate home in Nairobi on September 14. His family was shocked when he was later found dead inside a police cell in Mombasa.

A post-mortem conducted at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital revealed that he died from cardiorespiratory collapse caused by a fracture-dislocation of the neck, injuries consistent with a fall from a height.

The report also noted ligature marks measuring 3mm, a 5cm irregular scalp wound, dislocation of the C7–T1 vertebra, spinal haemorrhage and other injuries.

According to his cousin, Godfrey Gichuru, Warui, who sold electronic accessories in Ngara, Nairobi, had managed to call his wife and brother from a Mombasa number to inform them of his whereabouts at the Mombasa Catholic Cathedral Church.

“We are now wondering what happened to him while in the police cells,” Gichuru said.

Warui had been seen at the cathedral, appearing confused and disoriented. A nun who met him said he was “not in a normal state of mind,” and a security guard escorted him to a priest, who offered him food before police and DCI officers arrived.

By Thursday morning, he had been booked at Central Police Station, allegedly awaiting transfer back to Nairobi over accusations of stealing Sh170,000 from an electronics shop he worked in. Hours later, he was dead.

Rights activists are planning demonstrations across Mombasa County to pressure the National Police Service to explain the circumstances surrounding Warui’s death. They are also considering legal action to compel the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate and to seek the immediate arrest of officers attached to Central Police Station.

Warui’s death adds to a growing number of Kenyans who have died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody. The police have not issued a statement explaining why Warui was transferred from Nairobi to Mombasa or the events leading to his death.