Central Police Bosses Interdicted Over Albert Ojwang Death in Custody

Nairobi, June 9, 2025 – The National Police Service (NPS) has ordered the immediate interdiction of multiple senior officers attached to Nairobi’s Central Police Station following the controversial death of 26-year-old Albert Omondi Ojwang while in police custody over the weekend.

Among those suspended are the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), the duty officer who was on shift during the night of the incident, the cell sentry, and all officers stationed at the report office that evening, as well as any other personnel found to have been involved in the case.

Ojwang, a teacher and social media influencer from Kakot village in Homa Bay County, was arrested on Saturday afternoon, June 7, 2025, at his family home by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

According to family members, the officers informed them that the 26-year-old was being detained over an alleged offensive post he had made on the social media platform X, described by police as insulting a senior officer.

Initially held at Mawego Police Station, Ojwang was transferred overnight to Nairobi and detained at Central Police Station.

His family traveled to the capital on Sunday to check on his welfare, only to be informed upon arrival that he had died while in custody.

According to a police report, an officer conducting routine checks discovered Ojwang bleeding from the head.

Albert Omondi Ojwang.

The report claims that preliminary investigations showed the detainee, who had been booked for false publication, died after “hitting his head severally against the wall inside the cell.”

Police stated that officers immediately rushed Ojwang to Mbagathi Hospital for treatment, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The NPS maintains that the death resulted from self-inflicted injuries.

However, this official account has faced widespread skepticism from political leaders, civil society organizations, and the public.

The family’s lawyer expressed disbelief at the circumstances, stating that proper legal procedures should have been followed rather than the situation escalating to a fatality.

The case has attracted significant attention from prominent political figures. KANU chairman and former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi described the incident as “troubling and suspicious,” arguing that the police explanation raises more questions than answers.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has also criticized the police narrative, questioning the credibility of the self-inflicted injury claim.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga condemned what he termed “constant wave of state-sponsored violence,” while Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga described the incident as “deeply troubling” and called for swift justice and transparency, pledging county support to the grieving family.

Amnesty International Kenya has issued a strong statement condemning the death, emphasizing that no Kenyan should lose their life in police custody and that officers have a legal and moral duty to ensure the safety and well-being of detainees.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death, in line with statutory requirements for custodial deaths.

The NPS has pledged full cooperation with the investigation.

NPS spokesperson confirmed that the interdiction decision was made to allow for a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation.

“The NPS remains committed to upholding the rule of law, human rights, transparency and accountability within the Service,” the police statement read, assuring the public that updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.

The death has sparked national outrage, with activists and youth-led movements planning demonstrations under the trending hashtag #JusticeForAlbertOjwang. The case has reignited concerns about custodial deaths in Kenya and police accountability.

The incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing debates about police conduct and the treatment of citizens in custody, particularly those detained over social media posts.

Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for reforms in police detention procedures and greater oversight of custodial conditions.

Ojwang’s father, Meshack Opiyo, said that police at Central Police Station told him his son had died from self-inflicted injuries.

The family has been directed to City Mortuary, where the body was taken, but they continue to demand answers about the circumstances that led to their son’s death.

The family’s lawyer emphasized that due process should have been followed, with the young man being charged and processed through the courts if found guilty, rather than losing his life while in custody.

As investigations continue, the case has become a focal point for broader discussions about police reform, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights, particularly in cases involving social media expression and freedom of speech.