Police Constable James Mukhwana, a 31-year-old general duties officer, has emerged as a central figure in the investigation into the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody. At the time of Ojwang’s death, Mukhwana was serving as a cell sentry at Central Police Station in Nairobi, tasked with overseeing the holding cells.
According to a confession submitted to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on June 13, Mukhwana admitted that Ojwang was assaulted by remandees at the station—an attack that he facilitated under instructions from a senior officer. He revealed that he received KSh2,000 to ensure Ojwang was “disciplined,” not killed. The money was allegedly used to buy alcohol for four remandees, who carried out the brutal beating.
Mukhwana joined the National Police Service in 2018 and trained at the Administration Police Training College, now Embakasi A Campus. After graduating in 2019, he was posted to Marsabit County, where he served for two years before being transferred to the Kenya Police Service following national police reforms.
In his IPOA statement, Mukhwana disclosed that a senior officer briefed him about the operation. He then approached a known remandee to find individuals willing to carry out the assault. The remandees demanded alcohol to execute the task, prompting Mukhwana to use the KSh2,000 to buy drinks from the station canteen.
The attack took place between 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm in a secluded area known as “the last cells,” opposite the station’s toilet. Mukhwana alleged that his colleague helped coordinate the operation by managing the inmates’ movement and temporarily taking over sentry duties.
“I am sorry for the death of Ojwang. May God help them to heal the loss. I know it is painful,” Mukhwana said in his confession, expressing regret over the incident.
As IPOA continues its investigation, Mukhwana’s admission has reignited public scrutiny over police brutality and the accountability of law enforcement officers in Kenya.
