Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has called for a second pathologist to examine the body of 44-year-old Gedion Makau after his death in police custody triggered protests and raised questions over the circumstances surrounding his death.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Friday, Maanzo said the first post-mortem examination conducted on Thursday evening did not provide what he considered a clear explanation of how Makau died, prompting him to push for an independent review of the findings.
“The post mortem was done last evening. It didn't say clear. They said he died for lack of oxygen,” Maanzo said.
Police on Thursday had told Makau’s family that he had committed suicide while in custody at Kilungu Police Station in Makueni County. The account has since been rejected by his relatives, who have questioned how he sustained the injuries around his neck.
Maanzo said the death had caused unrest among residents, particularly because the incident happened at Nunguni, an area located close to the highway.
“The police said he committed suicide, and the people were rioted. And this is in Nunguni, not far from yes, not far from the highway,” he said.
The Senator said he had moved to seek another pathologist to review the findings and help establish what happened to Makau while he was in police custody.
“And so I've been very against this morning to make sure that we get another pathologist to to to to know to countercheck, so so that we calm down the people,” Maanzo said.
The latest development comes after the family rejected the findings of the first post-mortem, which established that Makau died from asphyxiation caused by compression of the neck.
Makau’s mother, Teressia Mbandi, questioned whether the post-mortem findings could establish who was responsible for applying pressure to her son’s neck.
“I refuse the findings. When we found him at the station, his trousers were loosely placed around his neck. How do we know who strangled him? How do we know if it was him or if it was the officers who did it?” she said.
His wife, Pauline Gideon, also accused police of refusing to allow the family to see the place where officers claimed Makau had attempted to hang himself.
“His mother went and asked, 'Why don't you show us the place where you claim he hanged himself?' but they refused. Now, I have no faith in this government,” she said.
Makau had been arrested on Tuesday, August 11, at Nunguni Shopping Centre over allegations of possessing a machete before being taken to Kilungu Police Station. His family was informed of his death the following day.
Maanzo said the handling of the case had also raised concerns about policing at the station, noting that the facility had previously been associated with troubling incidents.
“You know, they have such an incident in the same in that police station, we’ve got some really nasty policemen there,” he said.
He, however, welcomed the response from the police leadership, particularly steps being taken to ensure officers take responsibility when detainees die in custody.
“And I've seen the Inspector General of Police say now people must take responsibility,” Maanzo said.
The Senator said another pathologist was on the way to Makueni and that he would join the team to ensure the fresh examination proceeds properly.
“But at least now, with another pathologist on the way to Makueni, I'll join them later after the show and make sure that everything goes on well,” he said.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is investigating the circumstances surrounding Makau’s death. His family wants officers attached to the station removed from duty while the investigations continue and has said it will not release his remains for burial until the circumstances of his death are addressed.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja has also directed the immediate interdiction of the Occurrence Book recorder, cell sentry and duty officer whenever a detainee dies in custody, pending investigations.