A police constable stationed at Nairobi’s Central Police Station has implicated top police leadership in the death of blogger Albert Ojwang’, who died in custody on the night of June 7 under controversial circumstances.
In a sworn affidavit submitted to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Constable James Mukhwana claimed that instructions to “discipline” Ojwang’ originated from Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat. The directive, he said, was relayed through Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam.
“There is a directive from DIG Lagat. Do you know him? There are officers from DCI headquarters bringing a suspect here at 8:00 p.m. Tell the inmates to discipline him a bit,” Mukhwana quoted the OCS as saying.
Ojwang’ was booked into the station at 9:20 p.m. after arriving in a police vehicle. According to Mukhwana, the blogger was placed in a cell near the station’s toilets, where four inmates—identified as Collins Ireri, Gil Ammiton, Brian Mwaniki, and Erick Ndambuki—allegedly assaulted him.
Mukhwana stated that he and fellow officer PC Kimani discovered Ojwang’ slumped and bleeding and immediately notified Deputy OCS Samuel Nganga, who took the victim to hospital at around 10:00 p.m.
Ojwang’ was later pronounced dead.
Mukhwana said he initially lied to IPOA investigators but returned on June 12 to revise his statement, admitting the truth under remorse.
“Ojwang’ was not meant to be killed but to be disciplined, as per instructions of OCS Talaam, who was acting under instructions from DIG Lagat,” he said in his second statement. “I am sorry for the death of Ojwang’. May God help his family heal. I know it is painful.”
Mukhwana, who was on duty as the cell sentry the night Ojwang’ was detained, was arrested and arraigned on June 13 before Milimani Magistrate Robinson Ondieki. The court granted IPOA’s application to hold him in custody until June 20 pending further investigations.
Deputy Inspector General Lagat has since stepped aside to allow independent inquiries to proceed.
The case has sparked renewed calls for transparency and accountability within the police service, with human rights groups demanding full disclosure and justice for the late blogger.
