A family in Makueni is demanding answers after Gedion Makau died in custody at Kilungu Police Station, rejecting police claims that he took his own life.
Police officers arrested Makau last Tuesday evening at his business premises in Nunguni Shopping Centre over allegations that he possessed a machete. Officers transported him to Kilungu Police Station and placed him in a holding cell.
On Wednesday morning, the family received information that Makau had died.
Family Disputes Police Explanation
Relatives say officers did not update them about Makau’s condition after the arrest. According to the family, a friend alerted them after seeing Makau’s body being moved to a morgue.
Police later told the family that Makau had allegedly used his trousers to end his life inside the cell.
Makau’s mother, Teressia Mbandi, rejected that explanation and questioned how her son could have died in that manner while under police supervision.
“We were told that he used his trousers to commit suicide. The trousers were loose, and when I checked his neck, I did not see signs of strangulation,” she said.
Family Awaits Postmortem
The family has taken Makau’s body to Kilungu Sub-County Mortuary, where doctors are expected to conduct a postmortem examination.
Relatives hope the examination will establish the cause of death and explain what happened inside the police cell.
IPOA Joins Investigation
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has joined the investigation into the incident.
Makau’s relatives have also asked authorities to transfer officers attached to Kilungu Police Station while investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the death.
Concerns Over Custody Deaths
Family members claim that Makau is the third person to die while being held at the station, raising fresh concerns about deaths involving people in police custody.
The incident has intensified public scrutiny of police conduct and renewed calls for independent investigations whenever deaths occur in custody.
Investigators are expected to record statements from officers, witnesses and family members as they continue inquiries into Makau’s death.
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