The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has revealed that CCTV systems at Nairobi’s Central Police Station were interfered with, raising concerns about a possible cover-up in the death of Albert Ojwang.
Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, IPOA’s Head of Investigations Anne Wanjiku confirmed that preliminary findings had ruled out suicide as the cause of Ojwang’s death. “The autopsy report and our initial investigations rule out the theory of suicide,” Wanjiku stated, casting doubt on initial claims about the incident.
Ojwang, who was arrested in Homa Bay on June 7, 2025, and transferred to Central Police Station in Nairobi, was declared dead a day later at Mbagathi Hospital. IPOA said it learned about the incident from media reports and a police signal from the Inspector General.
In its probe, IPOA has already conducted forensic scene investigations, preserved evidence, retrieved documents from the station, and seized the CCTV digital video recorder (DVR) for analysis. Wanjiku confirmed that statements from all five DCI officers involved in the arrest had been recorded and that the authority attended the autopsy and secured a copy of the report.
Investigators also identified and reached out to potential witnesses, obtained biological samples from Ojwang for testing, and recorded a statement from another detainee who was held at the station during the same period.
IPOA is now finalising pending tasks, including analysing all forensic samples, recording more witness statements, and retrieving Ojwang’s medical records from Mbagathi Hospital.
The authority provided a timeline of events: on June 4, DIG Eliud Lagat filed a complaint with the DCI; Kelvin Muinde was arrested on June 5 and detained at Kamukunji. Ojwang was arrested on June 7 and declared dead on June 8.
IPOA has pledged to deliver justice. “Our mandate is to oversight police conduct in matters of crime. The investigation into Ojwang’s death is being handled with utmost seriousness,” Wanjiku assured the Senate.
The case remains under active investigation as IPOA continues to compile evidence for a comprehensive report.
