The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an investigation into the controversial death of 29-year-old blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang, who died while in police custody under circumstances his family and legal representatives describe as suspicious.
Ojwang was reportedly arrested on Saturday, June 7, in Kakot, Homa Bay County, allegedly over a social media post made on platform X. According to his family, he was apprehended while having lunch at home, before being taken to Mawego Police Station and later transferred overnight to the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
The next day, when his family visited the station to follow up on his case, they were shocked to learn of his death.
In a press briefing on Monday, IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan confirmed that the authority had begun a formal probe. IPOA officers had visited the Central Police Station, gathered initial evidence, and met with Ojwang’s family. A post-mortem was scheduled to take place at City Mortuary the same day.
“We have interviewed five officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) linked to the arrest,” said Hassan. “Our findings will guide our next steps, which may include recommending charges to the Director of Public Prosecutions if we establish any criminal culpability.”
Police have claimed that Ojwang died from self-inflicted injuries, alleging he repeatedly hit his head against a cell wall and later succumbed to his wounds after being rushed to Mbagathi Hospital. However, Ojwang’s father, Meshack Opiyo, has questioned the police version, insisting that his son was in good health prior to the arrest.
“They said he insulted a senior official on social media. Even if that were true, why wasn’t he taken to court?” Opiyo asked, visibly distraught.
Speaking outside Central Police Station, the family’s lawyer decried the incident as a miscarriage of justice. “No one should die in custody. Due process must be upheld. This is not just a tragedy for the family, but a matter of public concern.”
IPOA has pledged to conduct an impartial and thorough investigation into the incident.
