Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has revealed fresh details on the arrest and subsequent death of social media influencer Albert Ojwang.
The police boss disclosed the chronology of events leading to Ojwang’s arrest in Homa Bay on June 7, 2025, which began with a formal complaint filed by Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat on June 4, 2025.
Kanja said Lagat had submitted a complaint to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over posts made on an X account, alleging that he was under investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for corruption.
Following the complaint, DCI boss Mohamed Amin assembled a team of officers led by Abdullrahaman Hussein, Denis Kanyoni, Samuel Kamau, and Milton Mwanza.
Kanja said that on the same day, Hillary Mutai, who is in charge of the Serious Crimes Unit, and Mwanza visited Vigilance House to record Lagat’s complaint.
“On that day, the investigating team wrote to the EACC to confirm whether DIG Lagat was under any investigation,” Kanja said.
“A request was also made in writing to
the Communications Authority (CA) to provide registration details and preserve
the posts associated with the X account handle.”
The IG stated that on June 4, 2025, the CA responded, confirming that the handle was active and had 13,400 followers.
On June 5, 2025, the EACC confirmed that Lagat was not under investigation. The team then requested additional information from the CA on another individual, Kevin Moinde. The CA responded with the registered details of that account.
“The investigation team concluded that EACC had not initiated any investigations into Lagat, contrary to the claims made on social media,” Kanja said.
“There existed a prima facie case for
the arrest of the suspect under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.”
The team travelled to Kisii County and reported to Kenyenya Police Station, where they booked themselves at 12:55 pm.
Kanja said the officers were assisted by an officer named Phanice, who was nominated by the sub-county DCI to accompany the team.
They arrested Kevin Moinde and booked him at Kenyenya Police Station under OB number 25/05/06/2025 before transferring him to DCI headquarters.
“At the DCI headquarters, Moinde provided a statement implicating four other individuals,” Kanja said.
“The team’s analysis revealed that
Ojwang had also posted similar content.”
On June 6, 2025, the team travelled to Homa Bay and reported to Magwengo Police Station, where the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) assigned them three officers. Ojwang was arrested and booked under OB number 06/07/06/2025.
The team then began the journey to Nairobi, recording the departure under OB number 11/07/06/2025 at the same station.
“The team made a stop at Narok town for refreshments. The suspect requested water, soda, and biscuits, and they arrived in Nairobi at 21:17 hours,” said Kanja.
“In Nairobi, Ojwang contacted his wife to inform her of his safe arrival. Mr. Talam, the station OCS, was contacted and authorised the booking. After confirming his physical and mental condition, Ojwang’ was placed in the cells and the entry was recorded in the OB at 21:35 hours.”
According to Kanja, in the early hours of June 8, officers reported that Ojwang was found unconscious in his cell during a routine check. He was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
