14 Police Officers Grilled Over Death of Albert Ojwang in Custody

Nairobi — At least 14 police officers have been questioned by detectives from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) over the death of Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody on June 7. Ojwang had been arrested in Homa Bay County over allegations of false publication and was later transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station.

Among those interrogated are officers from the Central Police Station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), as part of a broader group of 18 identified for questioning. The officers spent Wednesday at IPOA offices, some accompanied by legal counsel.

Conflicting statements have emerged from the officers. While DCI officials claimed Ojwang was in stable condition when handed over at 9:35 p.m., others from Central Police Station allege he arrived critically ill. Central OCS Samson Taalam, considered a central figure in the probe, denied involvement and said he rushed Ojwang to hospital upon realizing his poor state.

DCI Director Amin Mohammed told the Senate that Taalam should be the prime suspect, claiming Taalam refused to book Ojwang when he arrived at the station. IPOA’s Vice Chair, Anne Wanjiku, also revealed that critical CCTV footage from the OCS’s office is missing—raising concerns of evidence tampering.

An autopsy conducted on June 10 ruled out suicide, citing blunt force head trauma, neck compression, and widespread bruising as the cause of death. IPOA is finalizing its investigation, which includes forensic analysis of samples, hospital records, and witness statements.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has given IPOA seven days to submit its findings for potential charges. Public outrage continues to grow, as calls for accountability and justice intensify.