A person of interest of interest in the murder of blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang’ will remain in police custody until Friday, June 20, 2025.
Police Constable James Mukhwana was arraigned in court on Friday, June 13, 2025, for a miscellaneous application where the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) was seeking to detain him for 21 days.
Milimani Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondiek has directed Constable Mukhwana to be remanded at the Capitol Hill Police Station pending a ruling on the IPOA application, together with his application to be released on bail.
IPOA, through a miscellaneous application, requested to detain Constable Mukhwana for 21 days to enable them to complete their investigations.
Had access to cell
They stated that they intend to investigate him over the murder Ojwang’, contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code.
According to Senior Assistant Director of Investigations with IPOA Abdirahaman Jibril, they have established that Mukhwana was the cell sentry on the night in question, with access to the cells where the deceased was brutally assaulted to death.
“That the preliminary investigations have revealed that there is a high likelihood that the respondent (Constable Mukhwana), together with other persons at the Central Police Station, brutally assaulted the deceased inside the cells, leading to his death,” part of the miscellaneous read.
Officer Jibril also reveals that through interrogation of witnesses, it has emerged that Mukhwana was in constant communication with people within and outside Central Police Station immediately before, during and after the commission of the crime.
He also states that there is a high likelihood that the communication was to plan the assault of the deceased and to brief the callers on the outcome.
Interfere with investigations
Further, the officer states that the request to detain the Constable was to ensure he does not interfere with the investigations, citing that there is a high chance of him tampering with the process, together with other persons of interest who are still at large.
“All the persons suspected to have been involved in the planning and execution of the murder of the deceased are yet to be arrested,” Officer Jibril states in the application.
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However, Lawyer Danstan Omari, representing Constable Mukhwana, asked the court to release him on cash bail and order that he not go near the Central Police Station.
Omari argued that IPOA has not provided the court with proof that his release may lead to the investigation’s interference, urging the court to consider releasing him on cash bail.
“Your honour, there has not been any material placed in this court to show an attempt by the officer to interfere with investigations. I therefore urge this court to release him on cash bail,” lawyer Omari told the court.
The matter will be mentioned on June 20, 2025, for further directions.
