Family Demands Justice After 25-Year-Old Dies in Murang’a Police Custody

The death of 25-year-old Francis Mukura while in police custody in Murang’a County has raised serious questions about police conduct and accountability.

Mukura was apprehended on 17 February by officers at Kagundu-ini Market, and within eleven hours, his family was informed of his death. Eyewitnesses report that Mukura was handcuffed and taken to the Kagundu-ini police post on suspicion of involvement in bhang-related activity. 

While records confirm his booking at 2:15 pm under reference OB No. 03/17/02/2026, no specific grounds for the arrest were provided. Legal experts have pointed out that the Kagundu-ini post is not a gazetted station, meaning it lacks the authority to hold detainees. 

According to Advocate Timothy Kariuki, such posts are required to transfer detainees to the nearest authorised station, Kabati Police Station in this case, but no transfer occurred. Instead, Kabati’s occurrence book later recorded Mukura’s death as a suicide in custody, though no further details were provided.

The official version of events has been met with scepticism. Mortuary staff at Murang’a Level Five Hospital confirmed that police delivered Mukura’s body at 1 am on 18 February, claiming he had hanged himself. However, an initial examination of the body revealed injuries inconsistent with a suicide, including bruises on his limbs and head, a cracked lip, and water streaks on his cheeks. The cotton string reportedly used in the hanging was also questioned by medical staff.

Family members have expressed frustration over the secrecy surrounding the case. They allege that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) repeatedly delayed the postmortem, fuelling suspicion. "We were not called to witness the hanging. We were only told his body was at the mortuary," said Sarah Kamande, a relative of Mukura.

A postmortem carried out on 25 February by Dr Kamotho Watenga concluded that Mukura died from neck compression caused by a rope, leading to oxygen deprivation in the brain. The report also pointed to signs of torture, including bruising and bleeding. These findings have led the family to believe Mukura was murdered, rather than having died by suicide.

Murang’a County Commander Kemboi Kimaiyo confirmed that investigations are underway by both the DCI and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). He acknowledged the postmortem findings and assured that further inquiries would be conducted. In response, protests have erupted in Kagundu-ini Market, with locals calling for justice and transparency.