Authorities are intensifying the search for two police officers linked to the brutal murder of 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang, who died under suspicious circumstances while in custody at Central Police Station, Nairobi. According to detectives involved in the probe, the officers switched off their mobile phones and have since gone missing.
Ojwang, arrested in Homa Bay County over a controversial social media post, was transferred to Nairobi and booked under OB number 136/7/6/2025 at 9:35 pm on June 7. Hours later, he was pronounced dead at Mbagathi Hospital. A hospital report indicated he had multiple bruises, swelling, and cuts, with blood oozing from his head, mouth, and eyes pointing to possible torture. A post-mortem confirmed he was assaulted and strangled.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is spearheading the investigations, has linked at least three suspects to the murder. IPOA chairperson Isack Hassan told Parliament’s National Security and Administration Committee that surveillance footage at the police station had been tampered with in a deliberate attempt to erase evidence.
According to Hassan, logs showed that CCTV hard disks were replaced and formatted on June 8 at 7:23 am. A technician who installed the CCTV system and was later paid Sh3,000 to erase footage has been arrested. He admitted being summoned to disable the system and delete crucial evidence.
Seventeen police officers and six civilians have so far been questioned, with some officers returning to IPOA to revise their earlier statements. They now claim the murder occurred inside the police station’s cells, where Ojwang was being held in isolation.
The Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) of the National Police Service has joined the investigation and summoned senior officers for questioning.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has pledged cooperation. Meanwhile, IPOA has requested his office to assist in apprehending the missing suspects.
The disturbing case has raised fresh concerns about police brutality and abuse of power, with Kenyans demanding swift justice for Ojwang. Authorities say the hunt for the suspects continues, and justice will be served.
