New Details Reveal How Ojwang Was Tortured into a Coma in Karura Forest in the Presence of a Senior Officer

NAIROBI, Kenya — Seventeen police officers are under investigation as shocking details emerge of Albert Ojwang’s final hours, with sources alleging the teacher and blogger was tortured in Karura Forest before being returned to Central Police Station unconscious, where he later died.

A post-mortem examination conducted Tuesday revealed Ojwang died from head injury and blunt force trauma—directly contradicting official police claims that he committed suicide by hitting his head against a cell wall.

The findings have prompted the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to intensify investigations into what sources describe as a “carefully planned secret operation involving powerful figures within the security establishment.”

According to multiple sources close to the investigation speaking to a local newspaper, between 9:35 p.m. when Ojwang was booked and 1:39 a.m. when his death was recorded, he was removed from his cell and taken to Karura Forest in a private vehicle—separate from the DCI vehicle that had transported him from Homa Bay.

“The truth is, Ojwang was in good condition when booked. But he was moved later that night, tortured, and returned nearly lifeless,” said a source familiar with the case, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Inside the forest, sources allege Ojwang was beaten unconscious—kicked, punched, and assaulted while handcuffed—by a group of officers that included a senior police figure and his driver.

When he slipped into a coma, his assailants reportedly panicked, bundling him back into the private vehicle and returning him to Central Police Station just after 1 a.m.

“Some station officers allegedly objected to taking a bleeding, unresponsive man into custody, but were overruled. An order came ‘from above’ to book him,” a source revealed.

IPOA Deputy Chairperson Ann Wanjiku confirmed before the Senate that crucial evidence had been destroyed. “One of the key findings was that the CCTV systems located at the OCS’s office had been interfered with,” she testified Wednesday.

The tampering prevented investigators from retrieving footage that could have shown when Ojwang arrived at the station, who accompanied him, who visited that night, and critically—when he was allegedly removed from his cell.

Two witnesses held in adjacent cells told investigators they heard loud screams coming from Ojwang’s cell during the night—testimony that aligns with the torture allegations rather than suicide claims.

17 Officers Under Investigation

By Wednesday midday, 13 of 17 summoned officers had appeared before IPOA investigators to record statements. Those under investigation include:

Suspended Officers:

• Officer in Charge Samson Talaam (identified by DCI Director Mohamed Amin as the main suspect)
• Duty Officer Samuel Ng’ang’a
• Constables Charles Muriuki, Debian Lusweti, Peter Kimani, and Evaline Kanyiri

Arresting Officers from Homa Bay:

• Sergeant Sigei
• Sergeant Wesley Kipkorir Kirui
• Constables Dennis Kinyoni, Milton Mwanze, and Boniface Rapudo

Additional DCI Personnel involved in the operation are also under scrutiny.

DCI Director Amin told the Senate: “It has been confirmed that before booking, the report office personnel called the OCS, who declined to book the suspect. Mr Talaam is the OCS and by the totality of things, he should be treated as the prime suspect.”

The Arrest and Transfer

Ojwang’s ordeal began with his arrest at 2:30 p.m. on June 7 at Lida Centre in Homa Bay, following a complaint by Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat over posts on Ojwang’s X account username ‘Pixelpioneer.’ The controversial post alleged that “Mr Eliud Lagat had strategically placed his most trusted officers in charge of DCI desks and traffic shifts in order to control both revenue streams and the flow of intelligence.”

Police had obtained account information from the Communications Authority after first arresting Kevin Moinde in Migori County, who allegedly identified Ojwang and others as account administrators during interrogation.

After initial detention at Mawego Police Station, Ojwang was transferred to Nairobi, arriving at Central Police Station at 9:17 p.m. IG Douglas Kanja confirmed before the Senate that officers noted his “physical and mental condition” was stable at booking under OB number 136/7/6/2025.

Ojwang was permitted two phone calls—one to his wife and another to a friend—informing them he had arrived safely in Nairobi.

Shortly after Ojwang’s booking, concerned friends mobilized activists who rushed to the police station seeking to confirm his well-being. Although officers confirmed he was inside, the group was denied access and told to return in the morning.

“Unknown to them, the man they were hoping to check on was allegedly being led into darkness and death,” as petty suspects were reportedly released that night to make space and the DCI vehicle was dismissed.

Seven-Day Investigation Deadline

The Director of Public Prosecutions has given IPOA seven days to complete investigations and submit a file for review. The directive, issued under Article 157(4) of the Constitution, emphasizes the urgency of the case given the contradictory evidence and serious allegations.

At 1:39 a.m., Ojwang’s death was officially recorded under OB number 9/08/06/2025—less than four hours after being placed in the cell where he had made those final phone calls to loved ones.

The father and newly married teacher from Kituma Secondary School in Taita Taveta was pronounced dead on arrival at Mbagathi Hospital, his body bearing injuries consistent with assault rather than self-harm.

Calls for Justice

Inspector-General Kanja has called for speedy IPOA investigations, stating: “Let us give IPOA an opportunity to conduct quick investigations, so that we can know what happened.”

However, the case has sparked nationwide outrage, with teachers planning vigils and activists demanding accountability for what they describe as state-sanctioned murder.

What began as an arrest over social media posts has evolved into a national scandal involving allegations of torture, evidence tampering, and a potential cover-up reaching the highest levels of Kenya’s police service.

The investigation continues as the nation awaits answers about how a routine booking became a death sentence, and whether justice will prevail for Albert Ojwang and his grieving family.