Amin: Ojwang was treated with utmost humility by arresting officers

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, IG Douglas Kanja and DCI boss Mohamed Amin while appearing before senators to shed light on circumstances surrounding the death of Homa Bay teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody, June 11, 2025. /ENOS TECHE

Slain teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang was "treated with utmost humility" by police officers from the point of arrest and entire 400km drive from Homa Bay to Nairobi, Director General of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin has told MPs.

Amin was appearing before the Senate to shed light on the mystery surrounding the 31-year-old's death in police custody on Sunday, June 8, just hours after he was checked in at the Nairobi Central police station.

Amin had been summoned alongside Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

In their testimony, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa), said Ojwang was arrested by five police officers from Nairobi.

He was briefly held at Mawego police station in Homa Bay County before the long trip to Nairobi's Central Police, where he died.

While responding to questions on what necessitated his transfer to Nairobi, Amin said it's because Mawego police station was recently elevated from a police post and does not have DCI officers yet.

He nonetheless said, the officers from Nairobi were humane towards Ojwang.

"I further wish to confirm Hon Speaker that the deceased was treated with utmost humility throughout the journey, all the way from Homa Bay to Nairobi, by the arresting officers."

So humane were the officers that while at Narok, Ojwang asked for refreshments—a rare privilege for suspects in custody—and his wish was granted, Amin added.

"He was given some refreshments by the arresting officers," Amin said, further revealing that Ojwang was ferried in a DCI vehicle, registration GKC 519B, make Subaru Forester.

Amin further confirmed that Ojwang was booked at the Central police station at 9.32pm Saturday.

He said eight minutes prior, he had been given an opportunity to speak to his wife on the phone.

"I can confirm, Hon. Speaker, without any fear of contradiction, that from Homa Bay, the suspect was driven straight to Central Police Station and nowhere else. We can confirm the movement of the vehicle using the GPS system."

Amin's version of events leading to Ojwang's arrival in Nairobi casts aspersions on claims by the united opposition that Ojwang arrived at the station with injuries.

In a joint statement at the SMK Command Centre, oppositions leaders led by Wiper party boss Kalonzo Musyoka said Ojwang was picked up by police officers riding motorcycles in Kakot, Homa Bay.

They also claimed that he was checked in at the Central police station at 9:35pm on Saturday, June 7, and not 9.32pm.

They also claimed that there are at least 26 hours that remain unaccounted for between the time of Ojwang's arrest in Homa Bay and arrival in Nairobi.

"Twenty six hours later, when a healthy man having lunch with his young family arrived, according to many sources, bleeding and with serious injuries. 26 hours before being declared dead on arrival at the Mbagathi Hospital, Nairobi, at 1:39am," the leaders said.

They alleged that Ojwang was seemingly assaulted on his way to Nairobi.

"When Albert was picked up in Homa Bay, he had no physical injuries. Indeed, he was having lunch with his family. We demand to know who inflicted the grievous and extensive injuries on his body.

"We demand to know where the footage showing Albert being brought in and leaving the station is and whether it has been provided to the family lawyers. If there is no footage, we demand to know who ordered for the cameras to be switched off."

On Wednesday, President William Ruto broke his silence and called for impartial investigations into the now obvious murder of Ojwang.

State pathologist Dr Bernard Midia said Ojwang succumbed to injuries consistent with head trauma (with bleeding/hematoma), neck compression (signs of strangulation), and widespread soft-tissue injuries and defensive wounds indicating a struggle.

"I fully expect that the truth about what happened to Ojwang will be established in due course, and that justice will be served," the President said, asking the National Police Service to eradicate misconduct and unprofessional behaviour within its own ranks.

Ojwang was arrested for allegedly posting defamatory information on social media against Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

The political elite, civil society groups and human rights defenders have called for his resignation to pave way for impartial investigations.