The Inspector General of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja before the Senate in Nairobi on June 11, 2025.
Senators have questioned Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja’s account of events surrounding the death of 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang’ in police custody, accusing him of attempting to cover up the matter.
During a Senate session on Wednesday, lawmakers called for Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat, who filed the complaint that led to Ojwang’s arrest, to step aside pending investigations.
This follows the naming of the police officers involved in the arrest amid allegations that CCTV cameras at Nairobi Central Police Station were tampered with on the night Ojwang’ was held.
The officers named are Sergeants Sigei and Wesley Kirui, and Police Constables Dennis Kinyoni, Milton Mwanzi, and Boniface Rabudo. Rabudo, Kirui, and Sigei are attached to Mawego Police Station in Homa Bay County, while Kinyoni and Mwanzi are based in Nairobi.
Kanja told the Senate that the saga began on June 4 when the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) received a complaint from Mr Lagat, claiming that defamatory content alleging corruption within the National Police Service had been posted about him on the social media platform X.
The case was assigned to cybercrime investigators led by Senior Superintendent of Police Hillary Mutai. They identified five suspects - Ojwang’, Kevin Moinde (arrested on June 6), Dorcas Mawia, Douglas Marigiri, and Peter Mbugua.
Kanja said Ojwang’ was arrested on June 7 in Homa Bay and taken to Nairobi Central Police Station, arriving at 9.17pm. He called his wife at 9.24pm and was booked into a cell at 9.35pm in apparent good physical and mental condition.
However, officers reportedly found him unconscious the following morning and rushed him to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Senators questioned this version of events.
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch asked: “Who beat Mr Ojwang’ to the condition in which he was found? The IG says he hit his head on the wall – who told him that, and does he still stand by that?”
Nyandarua Senator John Methu queried the decision to take Ojwang’ to Mbagathi Hospital rather than the closer and better-equipped Kenyatta National Hospital, while also accusing the IG of shielding his deputy.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja addresses journalists on June 9, 2025 at Central Police Station where Albert Ojwang is reported to have died while in police custody. He is flanked by his deputies Eliud Lagat (left) and Gilbert Masengeli (second left).
Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni urged the IG to provide CCTV footage showing Ojwang’s movements from DCI headquarters to the police station.
“Why was he booked alone if there was no intention to cover up?”
Kanja, in response, deflected most questions to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) and the DCI, saying investigations were ongoing.
He admitted that an officer, whom he did not name, had misled the service by stating that Ojwang’ hit his head on a wall, prompting an initial NPS statement.
Ann Wanjiku, the Ipoa vice-chairperson, said preliminary findings and a post-mortem ruled out suicide and pointed to a possible cover-up. Ms Wanjiku said that Ipoa found the police station’s CCTV system had been tampered with.
“Our forensic team found that while the CCTV was previously functional, the power cable had been disconnected.”
Mohammed Amin, the DCI boss, contradicted the IG’s timeline, saying Ojwang’ was booked at 9.32pm and spoke with his parents at 9.34pm. He said the suspect was in good health and described the arrest as “humane”.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told the Senate that the government would dedicate all resources to uncover the truth. However, his remarks drew criticism from several senators who called for his resignation.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said: “You’re not fit to hold office. This case could spark national outrage just like the 2011 Tunisia uprising. Resign.”
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei concluded: “The Interior Ministry suffers from a leadership crisis. If anyone should resign, it is Murkomen.”
