An autopsy has revealed that a man who police said committed suicide while in custody was actually beaten and strangled.

According to the examination, Anthony Nyariki died of a head injury after being hit with a blunt object. He was also strangled with a ligature.

Police had earlier alleged that Nyariki hang himself using a belt inside a cell at a police post in Zimmerman estate.

“After the examination, I formed the opinion that the cause of death was a head injury due to blunt trauma and neck compression due to ligature strangulation,” read the postmortem report signed by Sylvester Maingi.

Dr Maingi further asserted that Nyariki's neck could not have been compressed with a belt.

He also said the impact of his weight could not be noticed on his neck, ruling out the suicide theory. 

The autopsy also showed Nyariki’s brain was swollen and had blood clots. He had injuries above his left eye, on the right arm and wrist and on both knees.

Nyariki's family, together with their doctor, lawyer and officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) witnessed the postmortem exercise. 

Nyariki was detained at the police post on the night of February 24, 2020 after a domestic brawl with his wife, Jackline Mushi.

Mushi said Nyariki, his brother and another friend had gone out and came late at night, drunk.

That is when a fight started between the couple, which led to the arrest.

The next day, Mushi went to check on Nyariki at the police station, which is only about 20 metres away from their house.

She was kept waiting at the station lobby only to be told later Nyariki that had strangled himself using a belt inside the cell.

The investigating officer has failed to produce pictures from the scene where the death occurred, and the belt police claim Nyariki used to strangle himself.

Family lawyer Ayuka Ondieki said the family will continue to engage police and Ipoa to ensure justice is served.

He said the belt should not have been removed from his neck, if indeed he hanged himself.

“This is an investigation that is pointing at murder. We will continue to collaborate with Ipoa and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to ensure the family gets justice,” said Mr Ondieki.

He stressed that officers from Zimmerman police post who were on duty at the time of Nyariki's incarceration should be held accountable for his death.

After receiving the autopsy verdict, Nairobi Police boss Philip Ndolo said police will now press on with investigations to unravel what happened at the cell.