Theories Emerging in the Murder of Albert Ojwang in Police Custody

Detectives based at the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) believe slain teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang was clobbered to death at the Central police station cells.

Another theory is that the victim was removed from the cells and taken elsewhere for torture before he was brought back to the holding room.

The police have explained that Ojwang was placed in an isolation cell after he allegedly claimed he was asthmatic. But the IPOA team says this could be a justification from the cops who were on duty for their move to book him in an isolation cell to facilitate the torture.

Five police officers are the main suspects in the saga. Six officers were supposed to be on duty on June 7 when the incident happened but one was not present.

When Ojwang was brought to the station by a team of detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, he was given a mobile phone to talk to his parents and friends after he was informed the gadget would be taken away as it was to be an exhibit.

He was then left at the report office for the officers on duty who were informed the reasons for the arrest. It is alleged one of the officers called his colleague to inform him about Ojwang.

The colleague rushed to the station and that is when it is believed the torture started. The five officers were Wednesday expected to appear before the detectives for grilling. Other sources said arrests were expected to be made anytime.

This came as the team revisited the scene where the body of Ojwang was found on Sunday morning hours after he had been booked there.

The team has also demanded footage of movements at the station from the time Ojwang was taken there and removed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

There are eight cameras at the station.

Four are mounted at the main entrance—two facing outward and two inward—while two others monitor the reporting area adjacent to the holding cells.

These cameras are now considered critical to reconstructing what transpired between the time Ojwang was booked and when he was found dead.

Investigators have recovered several pieces of evidence from the holding cell where Ojwang was detained. Among them are a pair of blood-stained white Crocs, a black top with visible blood marks, a wet maroon sweater, a water bottle, a transparent plastic cup, a jug, and a tumbler.

The family moved the body from City Mortuary to Chiromo amid burial plans in Homa Bay. The IPOA team is investigating murder after an autopsy on the body suggested Ojwang was strangled and assaulted.

This came as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Tuesday ordered IPOA to fast track its investigation into the death of Ojwang and submit its findings within seven days.

DPP Renson Ingonga said he is closely monitoring the case, which has raised public concern. Ingonga’s directive, issued under Article 157(4) of the Constitution and Section 5(2) of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act, underscores the urgency of establishing the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death.

IPOA had on June 9, 2025, announced that it had launched a probe into the incident. The DPP’s call for expedited action emphasizes the need for swift and thorough investigations to ensure justice.

“In light of the foregoing and pursuant to Article 157(4) of the Constitution, and Section 5 (2) of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act, Cap. 6B of the Laws of Kenya, the DPP has directed the IPOA to expedite the said investigations. The resultant investigation file should be submitted to the DPP within 7 days for review and appropriate action,” read the statement.

“The ODPP remains committed to executing its constitutional mandate in accordance with the law, public interest, and administration of justice.”

Ojwang died while being in held in police custody following his arrest over an alleged false publication against Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

Police had initially claimed he died after hitting his own head on the wall severally. However, an autopsy conducted on Tuesday revealed that he was assaulted and suffered multiple body injuries.

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 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.

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 an impartial investigation by 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.

Ojwang was a teacher based in Voi. He had traveled home in Homabay for the weekend when the incident happened.