NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has condemned the alleged deletion of CCTV footage capturing the final moments of the late blogger Albert Ojwang at Nairobi’s Central Police Station, describing it as evidence of a broader culture of impunity within law enforcement.
In a statement shared on X, Odhiambo said the disappearance of the footage was not merely about one individual but reflected deeper systemic challenges surrounding police accountability and the treatment of people in custody.
“The deleted footage of Albert Ojwang’s final moments at Central Police Station is not just about one blogger, one cell or one night. It is a mirror held up to a system that still believes torture can be hidden and truth can be edited out of existence,” she said.
Odhiambo questioned the initial account of Ojwang’s death, citing findings from a team of five pathologists and investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
She noted that the pathologists concluded Ojwang sustained head trauma, neck compression, and multiple soft-tissue injuries consistent with assault, while IPOA ruled out suicide as the cause of death and reported alleged interference with CCTV systems at the police station.
“This is not an accident. It is a choreography of impunity,” she stated.
Calls for Police Accountability
The former LSK president argued that the case raises broader concerns about the safety of people in police custody and the need for institutional accountability.
“When a police station becomes the most dangerous place for a citizen who dares to speak, Kenya’s constitutional promise is turned inside out,” she said.
Odhiambo further described the alleged deletion of surveillance footage as an additional injustice to Ojwang’s family and to the public.
“Each deleted frame, each missing second of footage, is an extra layer of violence against Albert’s family and against the public’s right to know,” she said.
Push for Institutional Reforms
Odhiambo linked Ojwang’s death to other high-profile cases involving alleged police misconduct, including the death of Baby Pendo, fatalities during public demonstrations, and reported abductions of government critics.
She argued that meaningful reforms should go beyond criminal convictions and include stronger institutional accountability.
According to Odhiambo, deaths occurring in police custody should result in disciplinary action, criminal prosecutions where appropriate, personal liability for those responsible, and reparations for victims.
She also emphasized that the State has a heightened duty of care toward every individual held in custody.
“We must continue to push for victim-centred justice, radical transparency in policing, and a future where stepping into a police station is not a gamble with your life,” she said.
Investigations into Ojwang’s death remain ongoing, with IPOA continuing its inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the case.
