Nairobi, June 17- A disturbing new testimony has added fresh weight to the ongoing investigation into the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody earlier this month. The revelations point to an alleged calculated plot by senior officers at Nairobi’s Central Police Station to have Ojwang assaulted shortly after his arrest.
Police Constable James Mukhwana, in a sworn affidavit to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), recounted being coerced into facilitating an attack on Ojwang — an operation he claims was engineered by the station’s Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Samson Talam.
According to Mukhwana, 27, the events unfolded on the night of June 7, 2025. At around 7:30 p.m., he was summoned from the report desk by Deputy OCS Inspector Ng’ang’a and taken to Talam’s office. Once inside, the door was locked behind them.
Mukhwana says Talam informed him that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters would soon deliver a high-profile suspect later identified as Ojwang — who was allegedly linked to defamatory content targeting Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat. The OCS then instructed Mukhwana to ensure remandees in the holding cells “discipline” the suspect — a coded phrase for initiating a beating.
Startled by the directive, Mukhwana says he questioned what would happen if the situation spiraled out of control. In response, Talam reportedly invoked the chain of command and issued a thinly veiled threat, reminding him he was a junior officer and “something could happen” if he refused the order.
Feeling pressured, Mukhwana says he proceeded to carry out the instructions. He approached a seasoned remandee known as Ngige, handed him KSh 2,000, and explained the task. Ngige accepted but requested alcohol for the selected inmates before carrying out the assault a demand Mukhwana says he fulfilled by purchasing drinks from the station canteen.
As preparations intensified, fellow officer PC Kimani reportedly assumed control of the cell sentry post, a move Mukhwana says was intended to smoothen the operation. Kimani began moving selected inmates into the waiting bay and confirmed their readiness just before Ojwang was brought into the cells.
By the following morning, Ojwang was dead.
The testimony sheds light on a chilling level of coordination within the station and raises serious questions about a possible cover-up. IPOA has already confirmed tampering with CCTV cameras at the station, and investigations are ongoing.
The new allegations also add pressure to police leadership, particularly after DIG Eliud Lagat stepped aside earlier this week amid mounting scrutiny over his role in the events that led to Ojwang’s arrest.
The case has sparked national outrage and renewed calls for deep reforms within the police service.
