The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has dismissed suicide as the cause of death in the controversial case of Albert Ojwang, a suspect who died while in police custody at Central Police Station in Nairobi. The announcement was made during a Senate appearance on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, raising serious questions about police conduct and triggering nationwide concern over the safety of detainees in Kenyan custody.
According to IPOA’s Director of Investigations, Anne Wanjiku, preliminary findings from an ongoing probe indicate that Ojwang did not die by suicide, contrary to initial assumptions. The authority has cited CCTV interference at the station, specifically at the OCS’s office, as a significant red flag that has further deepened suspicions about the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s untimely death.
IPOA’s Preliminary Findings: Suicide Ruled Out
Appearing before the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations, Anne Wanjiku confirmed that a postmortem examination and initial investigative efforts by IPOA have both contradicted the suicide theory.
“The autopsy report and our preliminary investigation rule out the theory of suicide,” Wanjiku told the Senate. “IPOA is committed to establishing the truth and holding those responsible to account.”
Wanjiku further disclosed that IPOA only learned of Ojwang’s death through a media report and a police signal from the Inspector General of Police. This delay in official communication adds another layer of concern regarding transparency and accountability within the police service.
CCTV Footage Tampered With
Perhaps the most alarming revelation so far is the finding that CCTV systems at the Central Police Station had been tampered with. Specifically, the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) connected to the OCS’s office showed signs of interference. IPOA has since seized the DVR device for forensic analysis to determine whether any footage was deleted or manipulated.
Tampering with surveillance systems in a police facility, particularly in the case of a detainee’s death, could potentially point to malicious intent or an attempt to cover up criminal actions.
IPOA’s Investigative Steps
The oversight body outlined a number of critical steps already taken in the investigation:
- Forensic scene visits to collect and preserve evidence.
- Blood sample analysis, including blood spatter evaluation, to reconstruct the events leading to Ojwang’s death.
- Retrieval of police documents from Central Police Station.
- Seizure of the station’s CCTV DVR for detailed forensic examination.
- Recording of statements from all five Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers involved in Ojwang’s arrest.
- Participation in the postmortem and collection of the autopsy report.
- Engagement with Ojwang’s family and identification of potential witnesses.
- Collection of OB (Occurrence Book) entries from both Mawego and Central Police Stations.
- Acquisition of biological samples from the deceased, which are to be forwarded to the Government Chemist.
- Statement recording from a fellow detainee, who shared a cell with Ojwang at Central Police Station.
Wanjiku also stated that IPOA is in the final stages of its investigative process, including:
- Forwarding of forensic samples for laboratory analysis.
- Recording of additional witness statements, particularly from officers stationed at Central Police Station.
- Retrieval of medical records from Mbagathi Hospital, where Ojwang was officially declared dead.
Feedback from the hospital is expected imminently, and the authority is working towards compiling a comprehensive final report.
Timeline of Events Leading to Ojwang’s Death
IPOA also provided a chronological breakdown of the events leading to the controversial death:
- June 4, 2025: DIG Eliud Lagat files a complaint with the DCI. Kelvin Muinde is identified as a suspect.
- June 5, 2025: Muinde is arrested and detained at Kamukunji Police Station.
- June 7, 2025: Albert Ojwang is arrested in Homa Bay, transported to Mawego, and later moved to Central Police Station in Nairobi.
- June 8, 2025: Ojwang is declared dead at Mbagathi Hospital. IPOA is notified through media coverage and a police signal.
Public Outcry and Demands for Justice
The death of Albert Ojwang has sparked public outrage, with human rights organizations and civil society groups demanding a thorough and transparent investigation. Many see the case as another instance highlighting the ongoing challenges in Kenya’s police oversight framework.
Ojwang’s family has called for justice and accountability, describing him as a law-abiding citizen with no prior criminal record. Their sentiments were echoed by various civil rights advocates who claim that police impunity remains rampant, especially in cases involving detainees.
IPOA’s Role and Mandate
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is mandated to monitor police operations and investigate complaints related to police misconduct, especially those involving death or serious harm while in custody.
“Our mandate is to oversight police conduct in matters of crime,” Wanjiku emphasized. “The investigation into Ojwang’s death is being handled with utmost seriousness.”
Wanjiku reassured the Senate and the public that IPOA would leave no stone unturned and vowed that the findings would be presented in full, with appropriate legal recommendations to follow.
What Happens Next
As IPOA moves to complete the remaining stages of its investigation, the nation watches closely. The upcoming forensic reports, witness statements, and hospital documentation are expected to shed more light on the events surrounding Ojwang’s mysterious death.
Once the evidence is fully analysed, IPOA is expected to publish a comprehensive report that will likely include:
- A cause of death determination.
- Identification of responsible parties, if any.
- Recommendations for disciplinary or criminal action.
- Proposals to enhance detention protocols and surveillance procedures within police facilities.
Conclusion
The preliminary ruling by IPOA that Albert Ojwang did not die by suicide marks a crucial turning point in what could become one of Kenya’s most high-profile police accountability cases in recent years. With the CCTV tampering incident adding to suspicions, the Kenyan public is now calling for justice—not just for Ojwang, but to reform a system long plagued by abuse and lack of transparency.
As the case remains under active investigation, IPOA’s final report is eagerly awaited and could have far-reaching implications for police oversight, human rights, and criminal justice reform in Kenya.