Questions have emerged following the death of a middle-aged man who died while in custody at Kilungu Police Station, just hours after his arrest at Nunguni Market in Makueni County.
Gedion Makau was arrested on Tuesday evening at his business premises in Nunguni Shopping Centre over allegations that he was in possession of a panga. He was later detained at Kilungu Police Station.
His family said they only learned of his death the following day after a friend informed them that police had taken his body to the Kilungu Sub-County Hospital Mortuary.
According to the family, they were later summoned to the police station, where officers told them that Makau had allegedly died by suicide after using his trousers while inside the police cells.
However, his relatives have questioned why his body was taken to the mortuary before they were officially informed of his death.
Makau’s mother, Teresia Mbandi, and his wife, Pauline Gedion, have expressed doubts about the police account and are demanding an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
“We want an independent investigation so that the truth about his death can be established,” the family said.
Kilungu Ward MCA Joseph Mbindyo said the incident adds to growing concerns over the increasing number of deaths occurring in police custody.
“Anyone found responsible for negligence or any wrongdoing must be held accountable,” Mbindyo said.
The body of Gedion Makau is being preserved at the Kilungu Sub-County Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death, as investigations into the incident continue.
