Death Follows Arrest
Questions have been raised after a man died in police custody in Makueni County. Gedion Makau died at Kilungu Police Station. His death came only hours after he had been arrested. Makau had been arrested on Tuesday evening.
He was picked up at his business in Nunguni Shopping Centre. Police said he was suspected of possessing a panga. He was then taken to Kilungu Police Station.
Family Learns of Death Later
Makau’s family said they were not immediately told about his death. The news was instead received from a friend. The family was told that Makau’s body had been taken to Kilungu Sub-County Hospital mortuary.
Relatives were later asked to report to the police station. There, they were given the police account of what had happened. According to the family, officers said Makau had died by suicide.
His trousers were allegedly used while he was inside the cell. The circumstances remain under investigation.
Family Questions Police Account
Makau’s relatives have disputed parts of the account. His mother, Teresia Mbandi, and his wife, Pauline Gedion, have called for an independent investigation.
Questions have also been raised about why the body was taken to the mortuary before the family was informed. No independent finding has yet established how Makau died.
The cause of death is expected to be examined during a post-mortem.
Calls for Independent Probe Grow
Joseph Mbindyo, the Kilungu Ward MCA, has also raised concerns. He said deaths in police custody should be treated seriously. He called for accountability if negligence is established.
The circumstances surrounding Makau’s death have not yet been fully established. The police account will therefore be subject to further investigation.
Post-Mortem Expected to Shed Light
Makau’s body remains at Kilungu Sub-County Hospital mortuary. A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted. The examination should help establish the cause and manner of death. Until those findings are released, the circumstances remain unresolved.
For Makau’s family, the central question is still unanswered.
How did a man arrested on Tuesday evening end up dead in a police cell hours later?
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