Nairobi Central Police Station OCS, duty officers interdicted over Albert Ojwang’s death

Nairobi Central Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and all duty officers who were involved on happened to be on duty manning police cells on Saturday night and yesterday when Voi based teacher Albert Ojwang was booked and later died yester-night at dawn have been interdicted pending investigations.

Through a public notice issued by the National Police Service (NPS) Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered the suspension of the OCS and all officers on duty during the incident.

It is suspected that Ojwang died in police cells.

The civilian oversight body against police excesses, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is expected to commence probe into the death of a teacher and father of a two months-old baby while in police custody.

“The NPS remains committed to upholding the rule of law, human rights, transparency and accountability within the Service,” said a statement by police spokesman Michael Muchiri.

Kanja said the move is to ensure a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

The IG ordered the interdiction with immediate effect the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Central Police Station, the Duty Officer on duty during the night in question, the Cell Sentry on duty at the time and all officers who were on duty at the Report Office that night.

Also targeted was any other officer found to have been on duty or otherwise involved during the incident.

Ojwang was arrested on Saturday in Homa Bay over what authorities described as a “derogatory” post on X.

He was brought to Nairobi by the DCI detectives handling the case and booked at the Central police cells pending investigations.

Police said he died by suicide after allegedly injuring himself while alone in a cell by repeatedly hitting his head against the wall.

Police said was found with serious head injuries believed to be self-inflicted and was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Sunday morning.

Ojwang’s death has sparked widespread outrage including his distraught father, Meshack Ojwang Opiyo who suspect foul play and demanded justice for their only child aged 31, now deceased in the family.

The Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo called for expeditious investigations into Ojwang’s death saying culprits should be brought to book.

She said that just like Kenyans abide by the rule of law, police too should follow the law for equality.

“We want to ensure the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) takes this matter immediately, we want independent investigations and a post-mortem done promptly so that no tampering of evidence is done for the family and Kenyans to know the truth,” she said.

“We want answers, we want to know the truth, and the perpetrators behind the murder to be held personally responsible,” she added.

Human Rights Group, Amnesty International Kenya also condemned the death of Ojwang, saying no Kenyan should lose their life while in police custody, and those entrusted with their protection.

“The death of Albert Ojwang while in detention raises serious questions that must be urgently, thoroughly, and independently investigated by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR),” the statement read.

“This incident is yet another stark reminder of the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and far-reaching reforms within our law enforcement institutions.”