A family in Makueni is demanding answers after Gedion Makau died while in police custody at Kilungu Police Station, with relatives rejecting claims that he committed suicide.

Makau was arrested last Tuesday at his business premises in Nunguni Shopping Centre over allegations of possessing a machete. He was taken to Kilungu Police Station, but his family learnt of his death the following morning.

Relatives said they were not informed directly and only discovered his death after a friend reportedly saw his body being transferred to a morgue.

Police later told the family that Makau allegedly strangled himself using his trousers. His mother, Teressia Mbandi, disputed the explanation, saying the trousers were loose and she saw no signs of strangulation on his neck.

Makau’s body remains at Kilungu Sub-County Mortuary, awaiting a postmortem expected to establish the cause of death. IPOA has taken over investigations as the family demands an independent probe into his death.