A family in Kuria West, Migori County, is demanding justice after the reported death of 40-year-old Alan Kamau Kimani while in police custody.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 30, Vocal Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid said Kimani was arrested late last week in connection with allegations of cutting down trees before being detained at Komomwamu Police Post.
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.
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"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.
This comes a week after IPOA announced that it had initiated an investigation into the death of Simon Warui, who died while in police custody at Central Police Station in Mombasa.
In a statement released on Tuesday, September 23, IPOA disclosed that it has obtained the post-mortem report, which reveals that Warui died as a result of cardiorespiratory collapse due to fracture and dislocation of the neck, consistent with injuries from a fall from height.
The oversight body confirmed that its investigation team has already begun collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing police procedures relating to Warui's detention.
"IPOA emphasises that safety and rights of individuals placed in police custody are paramount and will work diligently to ensure justice is served,” the statement read.
"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."
The case began when Warui, a 26-year-old resident of Umoja estate in Nairobi, vanished from his home on Sunday, September 14.
His relatives spent several anxious days searching for him across the capital city, completely unaware that he had somehow been transported to the coastal region.
The family's search took a dramatic turn when they discovered that Warui was being held in police custody in Mombasa.
By the time relatives arrived at Central Police Station in Mombasa to secure his release, they were informed that Warui had already died while in custody.
Police authorities initially claimed that Warui, who was being detained on theft-related charges, had died during an alleged escape attempt.
However, the post-mortem examination revealed that Warui suffered from neck fractures and oxygen deprivation as the primary cause of death.
Medical examination also uncovered additional troubling injuries, including arm fractures, scalp wounds, spinal hemorrhage, and what appeared to be ligature marks on his body.
