A chilling revelation has emerged in the ongoing investigation into the death of Kenyan blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody on June 8, 2025.
According to a statement obtained by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) dated June 16, 2025, Police Constable James Mukhwana disclosed that four civilian detainees at Nairobi’s Central Police Station were paid KSh2,000 and later bought alcohol to assault Ojwang, under direct instructions from senior police officers.
Mukhwana, a 31-year-old officer stationed at Central Police Station, provided a detailed account to IPOA investigators on June 13, 2025. In his statement, he recounted being summoned by Deputy Officer Commanding Station (OCS) IP Ng’ang’a on June 7, 2025, to the office of OCS Samson Talam.
Mukhwana says that Talam, acting on orders from Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, instructed him to orchestrate an assault on a suspect soon to be brought to the station by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers. “The OCS told me, ‘There’s a directive from DIG Mr. Lagat… I want you to go to the cells, talk to the remandees, tell them there’s a job I want them to do,’” Mukhwana told IPOA in his statement.
He was then handed KSh2,000 to buy alcohol and incentivize the detainees to “discipline” the suspect, later identified as Ojwang.
“Chukua hii elfu mbili enda ongelesha mahabusu. Kuna mtu analetwa, nataka wamshughulikie kidogo, na ni amri kutoka kwa mkubwa,” Talam said.
According to Mukhwana, he approached a detainee named Ngige, a long-term remandee, and instructed him to find others to carry out the task. Ngige identified three inmates Gil Ammiton, Collins Ireri, Eric Ndambuki, and Brian Mwaniki, who were later arrested by IPOA for their alleged role in the assault.
Mukhwana admitted to purchasing alcohol from the station’s canteen and delivering it to the detainees to inspire them for the task. The assault took place in the last cell opposite the toilets, where Ojwang was beaten severely, resulting in critical injuries.
He was not supposed to be killed
Mukhwana claims he intervened when the beating became excessive, but Ojwang was already bleeding profusely and leaning against the wall.
“I felt that the beating was too much. I rushed to stop them as PC Kimani followed me. I stopped the beating; the person was oozing blood from the mouth. He was leaning against the wall while seated. I then told Kimani to inform IP Nganga to take the suspect to the hospital; it was around 2200 hours,” Mukhwana said.
Mukhwana in his statement however, noted that Ojwang’ was not meant to be killed but to be disciplined as per the instruction.
“Ojwang was not meant to be killed but to be disciplined as per the instruction of the OCS CI Talam, who was also under the instruction of DIG Mr. Lagat as per the instruction he gave me, Am sorry for the death of Ojwang; may God help them to heal from the loss. I know it is painful,” he posed.
IPOA’s investigation has uncovered further evidence, including tampered CCTV footage, which investigators suspect was an attempt to conceal the crime. Despite efforts to erase key segments, IPOA recovered portions of the footage showing police taking Ojwang to Mbagathi Hospital at 1:35 a.m., contradicting earlier police claims.
The footage also revealed a lack of urgency in seeking medical attention for Ojwang, who was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. An autopsy conducted by government pathologist Bernard Midia confirmed severe head injuries, neck compression, and multiple soft tissue injuries, ruling out police claims of self-inflicted wounds.
The 31-year-old blogger was arrested in Homa Bay on June 6, 2025, following a complaint by DIG Lagat, who said that Ojwang posted false and malicious information on social media.
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On June 16, Lagat announced he was stepping aside to ensure the integrity of IPOA’s investigation, a move welcomed by activists but met with scepticism by Ojwang’s family and supporters.
IPOA has arrested OCS Samson Talam, Constable Mukhwana, and the three civilian detainees, with ongoing investigations targeting other officers, including a technician accused of tampering with CCTV footage.
President William Ruto has condemned the killing, pledging accountability for all involved. As the nation awaits further developments, Ojwang’s widow, Nevenina Onyango, continues to demand answers, stating, “I thought he would be safe, but now I only want justice.”
