More security personnel were sent to the City Mortuary on Tuesday, ahead
of a planned autopsy on the body of slain Homa Bay teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang.
This is after a group of
activists who were accompanied by the family stormed the body holding area at
the mortuary and “disturbed” Ojwang’s body.
The incident happened on
Monday as pathologists and police planned an autopsy on the body.
The exercise was pushed
to Tuesday, Government chief pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor said.
He said he is part of the
team conducting the exercise.
“I am still part of the
team. I have not resigned from the exercise. The guy was my relative,” he said.
Police say Ojwang was
found unconscious in his cell after being booked there over claims of false
publication.
He had been arrested on
Friday from his Homa Bay home and brought to Nairobi for grilling.
He was taken to the DCI
headquarters along Kiambu Road for grilling before the arresting officers took
him to Central police for holding.
According to the Occurrence Book, he was the
59th suspect admitted to the station, booked at 2:35 a.m. under the charge of
false publication.
The autopsy was delayed to
ensure transparency, with independent pathologists and civil rights
organizations present.
"We want transparency.
There must be no foul play," said the family lawyer Julius Juma.
Following mounting pressure, IG
Kanja interdicted the Central Police Station commander, duty officer, cell
sentry, and all officers on duty to allow an impartial investigation by the
Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
"This is standard protocol to ensure impartial
investigations. IPOA is leading the process. If anyone is found culpable, they
will face the law," Kanja stated.
The Law Society of Kenya, led by President Faith Odhiambo,
questioned the arrest's legality, noting no court order justified the overnight
transfer from Homa Bay to Nairobi, violating the Criminal Procedure Code and
Police Standing Orders.
Some of those interdicted claim
they were on off duty when the incident happened.
Ojwang was a teacher based in
Voi. He had traveled home in Homabay for the weekend when the incident
happened.
He and co-accused Kelvin Moinde
faced charges of publishing false information about Deputy Inspector General
Eliud Lagat, who had lodged the complaint.
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions subsequently
announced there was insufficient evidence to charge Moinde.
"Upon careful perusal of the inquiry file, the Director of Public Prosecutions is satisfied that there is NO sufficient evidence to charge Mr Kelvin Moinde," the ODPP stated.
