Slain teacher Albert Ojwang’ died from head injuries, neck compression and multiple soft tissue trauma, an autopsy revealed. Pathologists ruled out self-inflicted injuries caused the death. Ojwang was a teacher based in Voi.
He was hit in the head and strangled, the postmortem report said.
Further, he had multiple injuries in hands.
Ojwang’, who died in custody at the Central Police Station was assaulted and suffered multiple body injuries, a team of pathologists led by government pathologist Bernard Midia concluded.
“He had head and neck injuries. There were other multiple injuries consistent with assault,” he said.
He made the revelations after completing an autopsy on Ojwang’s body on Tuesday.
He insisted Ojwang’ did not hit himself on the wall as earlier reported in a police report.
“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,” he said.
Midia said that in the event of one hitting themselves on a wall, frontal bleeding on the head would be seen.
“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,” he explained.
The pathologist, who conducted the procedure alongside the family’s representative Mutuma Zambezi dismissed the possibility of Ojwang’ injuring himself.
“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,” Midia said.
The post-mortem findings contradict a police report on Sunday, where Ojwang’ was reported to have hit his head on the wall of a cell at Central Police Station.
The focus now shifts to the police investigations.
A team of investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Independent Policing Oversight Authority were present.
A number of human rights groups also attended the event.
Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo demanded immediate action following the findings from the autopsy.
“It is clear the innocent teacher was assaulted and killed in custody. We demand accountability from the concerned parties,” she said.
The late Ojwang’s father was present. He demanded justice for the death.
A group of activists who were present later marched to the city center demanding action on those responsible for the death.
Following mounting pressure, Inspector General of police Douglas Kanja interdicted the Central Police Station commander, duty officer, cell sentry, and all officers on duty to allow impartial investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
“This is standard protocol to ensure impartial investigations. IPOA is leading the process. If anyone is found culpable, they will face the law,” Kanja stated.
Some of those interdicted claim they were on off duty when the incident happened.
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