The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has demanded transparency from the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja over the mysterious death of Albert Ojwang’.
Addressing the press on Monday, LSK president Faith Odhiambo told IG Kanja to release the names of the officers who have been interdicted, including those who moved Ojwang’ from Homa Bay county to Nairobi.
IG Kanja interdicted officers who were manning the Central Police Station at the time of Ojwang’s booking, where he was found critically injured in his police cell.
Odhiambo added that the details he has given on the unexplained death are far from sufficient in resolving the matter.
“Why has he not named the particular officers who have been interdicted? What is the need of hiding? Let Kenyans know. We want to know who picked Ojwang’, are they part of those who were interdicted and also we want to know the names of those interdicted,” she said.
“Without telling Kenyans in plain words who these individuals are, we will be treated to just PR for purposes of calming down the citizens.”
The LSK President further condemned how security officers handled Onjwang until he met his untimely death.
“The treatment of Mr. Albert Onjwang’ is a betrayal against him and against the people of Kenya. This cannot be wished away as an isolated incident because it is illustrative of deeper systematic weaknesses within the NPS,” she added.
“Kenya has no room for extra-judicial killings and criminal conduct by the police.”
Meanwhile, protesters and activists have converged outside the City Mortuary, calling for immediate action on the matter.
Kenya School of Law President Joshua Okayo questioned why Ojwang’ could not be apprehended in Homa Bay, adding that those who have been interdicted should be unmasked.
“Why was it necessary for Albert to be driven 400 kilometres away to be charged if there was an offence? Is this that there is no Magistrate Court in Homa Bay, or what was so necessary that he had to be charged in Nairobi,” he said.
“We want the particular names of the police officers who were interdicted. We want the OCS of Central Police Station, Mr. Talam, to be he first suspect. He must be arrested and charged with murder.”
Ojwang’ was arrested following a defamation complaint by Deputy Inspector General, Kenya Police Service (DIG) Eliud Lagat.
Government pathologists are set to conduct an autopsy on Albert Ojwang’s body at 2pm, Monday, June 9.
