The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has opened an investigation into the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang, a blogger who died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody.
Ojwang was reportedly arrested on Saturday in Kakot, Homa Bay County, allegedly over a social media post on platform X.
He was later transferred to Nairobi and held at the Central Police Station. However, his family says they were shocked to learn of his death when they went to follow up on the case the next day.
In a press statement issued Monday, IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan confirmed that the Authority had visited the scene, documented preliminary evidence, and engaged with the deceased’s family.
“At present, we have officers deployed at the City Mortuary where a post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place today, Monday, June 9, 2025,” said Hassan.
The Authority also revealed that it had interviewed five officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) who were involved in Ojwang’s arrest.
IPOA indicated that its findings will guide subsequent actions, including potential recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) should criminal culpability be established.
“IPOA remains committed to conducting investigations that are independent, impartial, fair, and free from influence,” the Authority said.
Ojwang’s family has cast doubt on the official police narrative. According to his father, Meshack Opiyo, the 29-year-old was arrested at their home while having lunch, and later transferred to Mawego Police Station before being moved overnight to Nairobi.
“They said he had insulted a senior person on X,” Mr. Opiyo told reporters, visibly emotional. “When I arrived in Nairobi, police told me he died from self-inflicted injuries after hitting his head against a cell wall.”
However, Opiyo has questioned the veracity of the police account and is demanding an independent inquiry.
A police report obtained by Citizen Digital described the incident as a suspected suicide, claiming that an officer on routine patrol found Ojwang with head injuries and that he died shortly after being rushed to Mbagathi Hospital.
Speaking outside the Central Police Station, the family’s lawyer condemned the incident, saying, “No one deserves to lose their life in such a manner. There is due process, and we expected him to be charged in court if there was an offence.”
