UPDATE ON INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF ALBERT OMONDI OJWANG IN POLICE CUSTODY AT CENTRAL POLICE STATION, NAIROBI COUNTY
Brief facts of the case
The DCI received a complaint from Deputy Inspector General, Kenya Police Service Mr. Eliud Lagat through a letter Ref: DIG/KPS/SEC/POL/1/Vol. II/72 dated 4th June 2025 where he alleged that he suffered continuous false and malicious publications on an X account (formerly Twitter) with user name, Pixel Pioneer and requested investigations with a view to establish the person and motive behind it. On the same day, 4th June 2025, the complaint was referred to Serious Crime Unit based at DCI Hqs for investigations. Through forensic analysis, they were able to identify the link used by the blogger and the person linked to the account, one Kevin Moinde.
On 5 June 2025, Kevin Moinde was arrested by DCI officers from the serious crime unit at Gituki area, Bomachoge Borabu and later escorted to Nairobi. He was placed in custody at Kamukunji Police station, Nairobi. On interrogating the suspect, the officers established that one Albert Omondi Ojwang (herein referred to as the deceased), a resident of Lida Centre within Homa Bay County was a person of interest and therefore planned to arrest him.
On 7th June 2025, at around 8:00am, team comprising of S/Sgt (drv) Sigel, Sgt. Wesley Kipkorir Kirui, PC Dennis Kenyoni, PC Milton Mwanze and PC Boniface Rabudo went to Lida Centre in Homa Bay County and arrested the deceased at around 2:30 pm and took him to Mawego police station and placed in custody vide OB 10/7/6/2025. At around 3:54 pm, the deceased was booked out vide OB No. 11/7/6/2025 and escorted to Nairobi where he was booked at Central Police station vide OB No.136/7/6/2025 at 9:31 PM.
On 8th June 2025, according to Police signal, the deceased was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital by Police officers from Central police station where he was declared dead and later taken to City Funeral home.
The Authority learned of the death of Albert Ojwang in police custody on 8 June 2025 from the media as well through police signal sent to the Authority by the IG and immediately commenced investigations.
Tasks achieved
So far, the following tasks have been achieved:
(i). The scene was visited and documented; the purpose was to preserve the integrity of the evidence, establish the sequence of events, and identify any indicators of criminal misconduct.
(ii). Blood samples were collected from the scene and analysis done between the blood that was on the wall vis-Γ -vis the blood on the floor of the cell.
(iii). All relevant police documents were collected from Central Police Station.
(iv). The CCTV DVR was seized for forensic analysis.
(v). Statements from all the five DCI arresting officers recorded.
(vi). Obtained medical report from Mbagathi Hospital.
(vii). Potential witnesses were identified and statements recorded.
(viii). Occurrence Book (OB) extracts were obtained from Mawego Police Station
(ix). Post-mortem examination was attended, and a copy of the report was obtained.
(x). Samples drawn from the deceased's body were secured and forwarded to the Government Chemist
(xi). The statement of one detainee held at Central Police Station was recorded.
(xii). Statements recorded from the relevant officers from Central Police station.
(xiii). Samples collected from crime scene and deceased's body were submitted for analysis to the Government Chemist.
(xiv). Recorded statements from the family members.
(xv). Arrest of two police officers including Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Mr. Samson Talam and a civilian.
Key Investigation Findings thus far:
(i). The deceased died while in custody at Central police station cells.
(ii). That the CCTV system located at OCS's office had been interfered with i.e. DVR power cable was disconnected, the DVR logs indicated that the operating discs had been changed and formatted on 8th June 2025 at 07:28:43hrs and 07:32:29hrs.
(iii). That the post mortem conducted on 10.6.2025 revealed the cause of death as;
• Head injury due to blunt force trauma,
• Neck compression, and,
• Multiple subcutaneous bruises all over the body. This disapproves the suicide theory.
IPOA commits to remain independent, impartial, fair and apolitical in all its investigations.
ELEMA HALAKE, SS
DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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