The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has arrested three civilian suspects linked to the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station. The suspects, Gin Ammitou Abwao, Collins Karani Ireri, and Brian Mwaniki Njue, were fellow detainees at the time Ojwang was held.
Authorities allege that police officers used the three civilians to torture Ojwang, an act believed to have led to his death. After initially being released without formal charges, the suspects were re-arrested on Sunday. They are now being held at Kilimani, Muthangari, and Kileleshwa police stations, with plans to present them in court on Monday alongside the station’s Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Samson Taalam, who is currently held at Lang’ata Police Station.
According to their legal representation, the suspects were first detained under a miscellaneous application, held for five days, and then released without explanation. IPOA has since intensified investigations and retrieved CCTV footage that is key to understanding what happened to Ojwang. Some parts of the footage were allegedly tampered with, and investigators believe this may have been an attempt to erase or hide crucial evidence.
The IPOA team is now analyzing over 36 hours of CCTV footage, including clips believed to capture the moments leading up to and after Ojwang’s final hours. Two additional officers seen in the footage transporting Ojwang to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, remain unaccounted for. One of them has been identified as Deputy OCS Samuel Ng’ang’a, who was reportedly on duty the night of the incident.
Ojwang’s family continues to demand justice. His widow, Nevenina Onyango, recounted their final phone call, where Ojwang expressed deep fear and uncertainty. “Albert was asking if he was safe,” she recalled. “He wasn’t sure.” Struggling to hold back tears, she added, “I never believed such a thing could happen to me. It is sad, so sad. We know we can’t bring his life back, but justice must be served.”
His father, Meshack Opiyo, also expressed frustration and confusion over the arrest. “Maswali yangu bado yako pale pale,” he said. “Ni kwa nini kijana yangu alishikwa? Mashtaka ni yapi kwa kijana yangu?”
As public pressure mounts and investigations continue, all eyes are on the justice system to ensure full accountability in the death of Albert Ojwang.
By Lucky Anyanje