Autopsy Confirms Albert Ojwang Died from Assault, Not Self-Inflicted Injuries

NAIROBI, Kenya — A postmortem examination has confirmed that Albert Omondi Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and X influencer who died in police custody, was assaulted and suffered multiple body injuries from blunt force trauma, directly contradicting police claims that he injured himself by hitting his head against a cell wall.

Government pathologist Dr. Bernard Midia, who led a team of five pathologists in conducting the autopsy on Tuesday, delivered findings that have dealt a devastating blow to the police narrative surrounding Ojwang’s death at Central Police Station early Sunday morning.

“When we examined the pattern of the injury, especially on the trauma I found on the head, hitting against a blunt substance like a wall would have a pattern,” Dr. Midia stated during a press briefing Tuesday.

He explained that if someone hit themselves against a wall, frontal bleeding on the head would be expected, but “the bleeds that we found on the scalp, on the skin of the head were spaced, including on the face, sides of the head, and the back of the head.”

The pathologists reached a unanimous conclusion that Ojwang died from severe head injury due to blunt force trauma.

Critically, they determined that the injuries were not self-inflicted and did not occur at once, suggesting a sustained assault over time.

“When we tie up together with other injuries that are well spread on parts of the body, including the upper limbs and the trunk, then this is unlikely to be self-inflicted injury,” Dr. Midia told the press.

Dr. Midia conducted the procedure alongside the family’s representative pathologist, Dr. Mutuma Zambezi, ensuring independent verification of the findings.

Besides the severe head injuries, the pathologists confirmed multiple head, neck, limbs and body injuries caused by blunt force trauma.

Police Narrative Completely Debunked

The autopsy findings directly contradict the police report issued Sunday, which claimed Ojwang was found with head injuries “by hitting his head severally against the wall inside the cell” in what they described as an attempted suicide.

Police spokesperson had stated that during a routine cell inspection, Ojwang was found unconscious and immediately rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was declared dead.

The official police account suggested he had injured himself by repeatedly hitting his head against the cell wall.

Timeline of Events Leading to Death

Ojwang was arrested on Saturday, June 7, in Homa Bay County over an X post allegedly defaming Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

He was transported to Nairobi for questioning at DCI headquarters before being booked at Central Police Station at 9:35 p.m. on Saturday.

According to police records, at 1:39 a.m. on Sunday, officers discovered him unconscious and rushed him to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

The autopsy findings now suggest he was systematically assaulted during his brief time in custody.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered the interdiction of the Central Police Station commander, duty officer, cell sentry, and all officers on duty during Ojwang’s detention.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations and recovered crucial evidence, including blood-stained clothing and CCTV footage from the station.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) had earlier condemned what it described as a “premature police narrative,” criticizing officers for jumping to conclusions before independent forensic investigations were complete.

The autopsy findings have vindicated this criticism.

The confirmation of assault has intensified public anger and calls for accountability. Opposition leader Raila Odinga has demanded speedy and credible closure on the case, while civil society organizations have linked Ojwang’s death to a broader pattern of police brutality.

Protests have erupted, with demonstrators demanding justice under the hashtag #JusticeForAlbertOjwang.

The case has become a rallying point for police reform advocates and freedom of expression defenders.

The autopsy findings represent a watershed moment in Kenya’s struggle against police impunity.

The clear evidence of assault in custody, combined with the initial police attempt to cover up the circumstances, has exposed systemic problems within law enforcement.

Legal experts say the findings provide a strong foundation for criminal charges against the officers involved, while also strengthening civil litigation against the state for Ojwang’s wrongful death.

Family Seeks Justice

Ojwang, described as a vibrant teacher and social media commentator, leaves behind a wife and child.

His family, who had raised concerns about visible injuries when they first viewed his body, now have scientific evidence supporting their suspicions of foul play.

The family’s lawyer had earlier noted injuries on Ojwang’s hands and shoulders that appeared inconsistent with self-harm, observations now validated by the official autopsy.

As the IPOA investigation continues, attention has turned to the CCTV footage recovered from Central Police Station, which could provide visual evidence of what transpired during Ojwang’s final hours.

The footage, along with testimony from other detainees and officers, will be crucial in determining individual culpability.

The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations is set to hold a meeting with Inspector General Kanja to deliberate on the circumstances surrounding the death and broader police reforms.

The case has highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive police reform in Kenya, where deaths in custody have long been a concern for human rights organizations.

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