Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot has criticised the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for what he termed as dragging its feet in the investigation into the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang, a teacher and blogger who died in police custody under controversial circumstances.
Speaking on Friday, June 13, 2025, through his x account Aukot dismissed IPOA’s pace as unconvincing and argued that the matter is straightforward and should have resulted in prosecutions by now.
“IPOA is not convincing at all and just dragging its feet, if it has any. This is an open and shut case that even a first-year law student would successfully prosecute,” Aukot wrote on social media.
Aukot lists questions
Aukot outlined a list of critical questions which, according to him, should already have been answered by investigators.
“The trail is simple. What did the DIG complain about? Where was the offence committed? What’s the OB number? Who are the arresting officers? Why was Ojwang held alone in a Nairobi cell? Why was he transported from Homabay to Nairobi?
Police claim they rushed him to hospital while unconscious, yet medics confirm he was already a corpse on arrival,” he noted.
He insisted that a proper inquiry could be completed in a matter of hours and those responsible for Ojwang’s death should be charged without further delay.
IPOA rejects cover-up
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, IPOA Chairperson Isaack Hassan appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Security, where he firmly rejected claims that the authority was complicit in shielding officers involved in the case.
“IPOA is not going to be used as a fire extinguisher to extinguish all fires generated from police misconduct. We are not going to be used as a cover-up,” Hassan said.
Officers treated as suspects
Hassan told MPs that the authority is treating everyone involved in Ojwang’s arrest, detention, and eventual death as potential suspects in a murder investigation.
“Everyone, from the one who arrested him in Homa Bay to the person who took him to the mortuary, is going to be a suspect of murder,” he added.
He urged full cooperation from police officers, especially those stationed at Central Police Station, and warned that obstruction would be considered interference with justice.
IPOA said the investigation is nearing conclusion but maintained that the process must be independent and thorough.
