The Senate hearings into the controversial death of social media personality Albert Ojwang while in police custody have begun shedding light on what transpired.
Here is a summary of what has been revealed so far, based on witness accounts before the Senate:
1. Inspector General Douglas Kanja’s Testimony
Triggering Post: Kanja told senators that Ojwang had shared a social media post that accused Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Lagat of corruption and improper deployments within the police service.
Allegations: The post suggested Lagat had placed loyal officers at crucial operational points such as DCI desks, OB desks, and traffic assignments. Another post featured a photo of Lagat and referenced a high-value property investigation involving both Lagat and Nairobi Area Commander Joseph Chirchir.
Formal Complaint: On 4 June 2025, DIG Lagat filed a formal complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Kanja confirmed this triggered a full cybercrime investigation.
Investigative Steps:
The DCI, led by Mohamed Amin, formed a team comprising officers Hussein Abdullrahaman, Denis Kanyoni, Samuel Kamau, and Milton Mwanza.
The team contacted the EACC and Communications Authority to verify if Lagat was under investigation and to trace the ownership of the X (formerly Twitter) account in question.
The EACC confirmed there were no investigations against Lagat.
The account was found to be active and had 13,400 followers.
First Arrest: Kevin Muinde was arrested in Kisii County on 5 June. He later gave a statement implicating Albert Ojwang and three others.
Ojwang’s Arrest and Transfer:
Ojwang was arrested on 7 June in Homa Bay and booked at Magwengo Police Station.
He was transported to Nairobi with stops recorded en route. Officers noted that Ojwang was given refreshments and called his wife upon arrival.
He was booked into the cells at Central Police Station at 9:35 p.m.
Death: On 8 June, police reported Ojwang was found unconscious during a routine check and rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
2. Government Pathologist Bernard Midia’s Autopsy Findings
Cause of Death: Midia confirmed that Ojwang died from head injuries, neck compression, and multiple soft tissue injuries.
Ruled Out Suicide: The pathologist stated that the injuries were not consistent with self-inflicted trauma, contradicting earlier police claims that Ojwang had hit himself against a wall.
Pattern of Injury: Midia explained that trauma from wall impact would show a particular pattern and frontal bleeding. In Ojwang’s case, the injuries suggested blunt force and strangulation, with further signs of assault on his hands and other body parts.
3. IPOA’s Preliminary Findings (Anne Wanjiku’s Testimony)
No Formal Notification: IPOA learnt of Ojwang’s death through media reports and a police signal from the IG.
Immediate Actions:
IPOA investigators conducted forensic scene analysis and secured OB entries from Magwengo and Central Police Stations.
They seized and forwarded the station’s CCTV DVR for examination.
Statements were recorded from all five DCI officers involved in the arrest.
A fellow detainee at Central Police Station also provided a statement.
IPOA secured biological samples and attended the post-mortem examination.
CCTV Interference: Wanjiku told the Senate that CCTV footage at Central Police Station had been interfered with, particularly in the OCS’s office area.
Suicide Ruled Out: IPOA’s preliminary report supports the autopsy findings and rejects the suicide theory.
Timeline Presented to the Senate:
4 June: DIG Lagat files a complaint.
5 June: Kevin Muinde is arrested.
7 June: Albert Ojwang is arrested and transferred to Nairobi.
8 June: Ojwang is found unconscious and later declared dead.
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