NAIROBI, Kenya – Two additional police officers linked to the death of teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody have surrendered to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), bringing the number of detained officers to four as investigations into the suspected torture and cover-up continue to widen.
The officers presented themselves at IPOA offices in Nairobi on Monday, where they were immediately placed under arrest for processing and potential court proceedings.
They are believed to have been on duty when Ojwang was transferred from Homa Bay to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, where he died under suspicious circumstances while under the watch of Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers.
Torture Plot and Disappearance
Investigators believe the two officers—who vanished over the weekend before resurfacing—were allegedly ordered to assist in planning Ojwang’s torture. It remains unclear whether they will be treated as suspects or witnesses in the case.
Their surrender follows the arrest of Central Police Station Commander Samson Talaam, who was apprehended on June 13 and remains detained at Lang’ata Police Station.
IPOA has accused Talaam of orchestrating the fatal assault and leading efforts to conceal it.
A Nairobi court is expected to rule on Wednesday whether Talaam will remain in custody for an additional 21 days.
IPOA investigators argue that his release could jeopardize the investigation, compromise witness accounts, and pose a public safety risk given his influence.
Talaam’s lawyer has pushed back against the claims, citing lack of strong evidence and highlighting the officer’s 29 years of service and cooperation. The defence is seeking bail set at Sh7,000.
Meanwhile, Constable James Mukhwana, another suspect, is said to have had access to the cells during Ojwang’s detention and was reportedly in communication with Talaam during that time.
Civilians, CCTV Tampering, and Secret Hearing
Four civilians connected to the case also remain in custody. Among them is a 23-year-old technician accused of disabling the CCTV system at Central Police Station, allegedly for a fee of Sh3,000.
A court in Kahawa on Monday ordered the technician and a second suspect—who is believed to have been present in the cells—to be held for 14 more days at Kilimani Police Station.
IPOA’s Assistant Director of Forensics, Paul Njihia, told the court the CCTV tampering had significantly hampered efforts to confirm whether Ojwang was tortured.
Njihia also confirmed that the suspects’ phones have been seized for forensic examination.
Due to the sensitivity of the evidence, the court approved a request to hold parts of the hearing in private.
The court granted a 14-day detention period, down from the 21 days IPOA had requested.
