Why timelines are key in probe into death of Albert Ojwang

The timelines from the day slain teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang was arrested to when he was found unconscious are key in the probe into the matter.

A team from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is keen on the movements of Ojwang from the point of his arrest to the time he was declared dead.

They have learnt after his arrest on Friday, June 6, from his Homa Bay home the team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters in Nairobi reported to Mawego Police Station before he was driven to Nairobi.

His uncle, Joseph Okumu, said there were six police officers in the team and only two of them identified themselves as Sigei and Rapudo before leaving.

Ojwang was later on Saturday taken to DCI headquarters for a grilling session before being taken to Central Police Station.

He was taken to the station by the arresting officers at about 9.35 pm on Saturday, June 7.

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.

It is not clear where he was or why he was not booked between 9.35 pm and 2.35 am when he was taken to the station.

According to records, at 3:45 a.m., his death was officially recorded and signed off by two officers.

Inspector General Douglas Kanja explained that Ojwang was found unconscious during a routine inspection at 1:39 am and rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

However, family representatives dispute this account.

"This young man was alive and well when the police took him. But by Sunday, the family was being told he had died during treatment. The truth is, Albert died in custody. His body had multiple injuries, particularly on the head, and was bleeding from the nose and mouth," the family lawyer Julius Juma said.

An autopsy was planned on the body to explain how he died.

Ojwang's final phone conversation with a friend revealed his anxiety about being in custody. In a recorded call, he asked:

"Have you ever been arrested? How is it? I have never experienced this before."

When he inquired, "Will I be safe?" his friend reassured him based on previous experience at the Industrial Area police station.

The timelines have become central to the investigation, with officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) present at the station for a second consecutive day.

A preliminary review of the station's security setup reveals eight surveillance cameras positioned across six key locations within Central Police Station.

Four are mounted at the main entrance—two facing outward and two inward—while two others monitor the reporting area adjacent to the holding cells.

These cameras are now considered critical to reconstructing what transpired between the time Ojwang was booked and when he was found dead.

The team suspects he was not booked immediately and may have been taken out where he was battered.

Police had initially claimed Ojwang had injured himself in the cells. Investigators have recovered several pieces of evidence from the holding cell where Ojwang was detained.

Among them are a pair of blood-stained white Crocs, a black top with visible blood marks, a wet maroon sweater, a water bottle, a transparent plastic cup, a jug, and a tumbler.

Sources indicate that the cell had bloodstains on both the walls and floor, with water also smeared across the floor. Kanja, flanked by his two deputies—Gilbert Masengeli and Eliud Lagat—as well as the Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations John Onyango and the IPOA chairperson, Isaak Hassan, visited the scene of the crime.

Kanja emphasised the seriousness of the case, saying: Meanwhile, the digital footprint of individuals connected to the case is also drawing attention.

A social media account on platform X, believed to belong to Kevin Moinde—a suspect previously held at Kamukunji Police Station—has been deactivated, raising further questions.

Police say the deceased had requested to be isolated as he was unwell and was asthmatic.

This informs why he was alone in the cell where he was found dead.

Following mounting pressure, IG Kanja interdicted the Central Police Station commander, duty officer, cell sentry, and all officers on duty to allow 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.