The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has revealed a disturbing rise in deaths occurring in police custody across Kenya, reporting at least 20 fatalities in just the past four months. IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan made the disclosure while appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Security on Thursday, amid investigations into the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang.
Ojwang, who was arrested last weekend in Homa Bay by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers over an alleged derogatory social media post, died while in custody at the Central Police Station in Nairobi. His case has sparked national outrage, especially following IPOA’s preliminary findings, which indicate he was tortured and killed in custody—contrary to police claims that he fatally injured himself by repeatedly hitting a cell wall.
“The signal by the Inspector-General was incredible; it was a very poor cover-up attempt,” said Hassan. “The CCTV had been interfered with. The man was tortured and killed.”
IPOA has yet to arrest any suspects, citing its lack of prosecutorial authority, but Hassan emphasized that all officers involved are being treated as murder suspects. This includes officers who arrested Ojwang in Homa Bay, those who transported and detained him in Nairobi, and those who handled his body after death. So far, 17 police officers and six civilian witnesses have been interviewed.
“We are not going to be used as a fire extinguisher for police or enable this cover-up,” Hassan stressed. “We want full cooperation. Every officer involved in Ojwang’s arrest and detention is under investigation.”
The complainant behind Ojwang’s arrest, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat, will also be summoned to record a statement. IPOA believes a culture of silence may obstruct the investigation but remains confident in its ability to pursue justice.
This case has reignited debate over police accountability and brutality in Kenya, placing pressure on the Kenya Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to ensure transparency and justice.
