A family in Makueni County is demanding answers after a middle-aged man died while being held at Kilungu Police Station, raising fresh concerns about deaths in police custody.Gedion Makau was arrested on Tuesday evening at his business premises in Nunguni Shopping Centre.
Police accused him of being in possession of a panga before taking him into custody at Kilungu Police Station.
Less than a day later, his family was informed that he had died while in the police cells.
According to relatives, they did not receive any official communication from the police immediately after Makau’s death. Instead, they learnt about the incident through a friend who told them that police had taken his body to Kilungu Sub County Hospital Mortuary.
The family says they were later asked to report to the police station. While there, officers informed them that Makau had allegedly died by suicide after using his trousers while inside the police cells.
However, the explanation has been strongly questioned by his relatives.
They say they cannot understand why his body was moved to the mortuary before the family was informed about his death.
They believe the sequence of events raises important questions that need to be answered through an independent investigation.
Makau’s mother, Teresia Mbandi, said the family wants the truth about what happened during the time he was in police custody.
His wife, Pauline Gedion, also expressed doubts about the police account and called for a fair and transparent investigation into the incident.
The case has also attracted the attention of local leaders. Kilungu Ward MCA Joseph Mbindyo described the incident as part of a worrying pattern of deaths reported in police custody.
He said every person taken into custody has the right to be protected while under the care of law enforcement officers.
Mbindyo called on the relevant authorities to conduct thorough investigations and ensure that anyone found responsible for negligence or wrongdoing is held accountable.
He noted that such incidents continue to raise public concern and affect confidence in the justice system.
The body of Gedion Makau remains at Kilungu Sub County Hospital Mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The results are expected to help establish the exact cause of his death.
Makau’s family says they will keep pushing for answers and accountability. They hope the inquiry will establish exactly what happened between the time of his arrest and the moment his death was reported, and that the findings will provide justice for their loved one.
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