NAIROBI, Kenya – The official report is in, and it’s damning: Albert Ojwang’ was already dead when police brought him to Mbagathi Hospital claiming he needed emergency care.
That’s not speculation. That’s from the hospital’s own documentation—quietly submitted to the National Assembly’s Committee on Administration and Internal Security.
Ojwang’, a teacher and outspoken social media voice, died under police custody on June 8, setting off a firestorm of outrage across the country.
Protests have erupted in Nairobi, demanding accountability as the state struggles to explain away what increasingly looks like a custodial killing.
At exactly 2:00 a.m., Mbagathi’s medical staff received a call to attend to an incoming emergency—except it wasn’t one.
According to the hospital’s report, Ojwang’ was “brought in dead.” No signs of life. Just a lifeless body with visible injuries.
“The Medical Officer on call assessed the male and confirmed it to be a corpse,” the report reads. “Notification of death form was filled, and police were advised to proceed to KNH Police Station and City Mortuary.”
Let that sink in: police claimed they found Ojwang’ “unresponsive” in his Central Police Station cell around 1:39 a.m., then rushed him to Mbagathi for treatment.
But Mbagathi staff—including nurses and the attending doctor—unanimously confirmed there was no effort to resuscitate because there was nothing left to resuscitate.
The medical team also noted signs of physical trauma—raising even more questions about what exactly happened to him.
What’s even more disturbing? According to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), CCTV footage from the Central Police Station was tampered with. Yes, you read that right. Hours after Ojwang’s death, someone altered the surveillance data. The “he hit his head on the wall” excuse isn’t just flimsy—it’s falling apart.
Ojwang’ had been arrested in Homa Bay after allegedly posting a critical comment on X (formerly Twitter) about Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat.
The DCI then transported him to Nairobi and booked him at Central Police Station—where he never came out alive.
So far, IPOA has grilled 17 police officers and six civilians in connection with the case and is treating several officers as murder suspects. Investigators have also indicated they are preparing to summon DIG Lagat himself.
This case isn’t isolated either. IPOA says Ojwang’ is just one of 20 people who have died in police custody in the past four months. Twenty. In four months. That’s a trend, not a coincidence.
The hospital report now serves as a critical piece of evidence, blowing apart the police version and amplifying calls for justice. For Ojwang’s family, the truth is painful—but it’s also necessary.
