NAIROBI, Kenya – The independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has announced that it has commenced investigations into the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang.
Ojwang’ had been booked at the Central Police Station in Nairobi County on Saturday, 7 June 2025, before he met his death a few hours later.
Section 7(1)(a)(x) of the IPOA Act, CAP 86 of the Laws of Kenya, mandates the Authority to investigate deaths and serious injuries at or suspected to have occurred as a result of police actions.
“As part of the investigation, the Authority has already visited and documented the scene, established contact with the family, and at present, has officers deployed at the City morgue where a post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place today, Monday, 09 June 2025,” IPOA said in a statement signed by its chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan.
Why IPOA has interrogated five DCI detectives
Moreover, Issack disclosed that five police officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have been interviewed by IPOA investigators and their statements recorded.
“The findings thereof shall inform the Authority’s further communication to the public on the progress of investigation and recommendation to relevant State agencies and, in particular, the Director of Public Prosecutions, in the event criminal culpability is established,” the statement further reads.
According to Issack, IPOA remains committed to conducting investigations that are independent, impartial, fair, and free from influence.
Earlier, a video emerged online showing officials attached to IPOA taking away an item allegedly recovered from the cell where Ojwang was being held at Nairobi’s Central Police Station.
In the 37-second video shared by The Standard Media on its official X account, the officers can be seen walking hurriedly while taking away the item covered in a polythene bag.
The video also shows a battery of journalists recording the incident before the officials wearing face masks board their official vehicle at Nairobi’s Central Police Station.
How LSK reacted to Albert Omondi Ojwang’s death
Following the mysterious death of Ojwang’, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, stated that the safety of Kenyans, whether suspected of offences or not, is not a matter for which we, the body, can accept reactiveness.
“We demand proactivity. LSK has constantly raised concerns over the safety of detainees while in police custody and the trend of abuse and mistreatment that has characterised Kenya Police cells,” she added.
The LSK boss, who was flanked by a battery of lawyers, disclosed that, in particular, they have sounded grave apprehension over the Central Police Station in Nairobi, which they claimed has been a poster boy for police brutality.
“This must come to an end. Further, we note that previously, the LSK Council had raised concerns with the police IG about Nairobi’s Central Police Station for being violators of the rights of arrested persons. We call upon IPOA to expeditiously investigate concerns raised and keep Kenyans apprised of the outcome of the investigations,” explained Odhiambo.
Additionally, the LSK boss observed that another notorious police station is Kamukunji.
