Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief Mohamed Amin has defended the official version of events surrounding the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Administration and Internal Security alongside Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Amin outlined a timeline of Ojwang’s final hours at the Nairobi Central Police Station.
According to Amin, Ojwang was arrested on Saturday at his home in Homa Bay and taken to Mawego Police Station within the county.
Officers from the DCI headquarters, he said, departed the station at 15:43hrs.
They arrived at Nairobi Central Police Station at 21:32hrs, nearly five hours later.
At the station, Ojwang was booked under OB 136/07/06/2025 by Police Constable (PC) Mohamed Abdullahi and placed in a cell by PC Mukwana.
He was reported to have appeared in normal condition at the time.
“That is documented and nothing can be changed,” Amin told the committee.
“The assignment of the booking was made by the report office personnel,” he added.
Ojwang was booked under the offence of publication of false information.
Amin noted that at 01:35hrs on June 8, PC Abdullahi made a digital Occurrence Book (OB) entry documenting unusual behaviour.
“Duty officer IP Ng’ang’a and cell sentry PC Kimani visited the cells and found most of them in order, except for the last cell where Albert Omondi Ojwang, who was alone, was making noise and kicking the cell walls,” he said, quoting the OB extract.
“This record cannot be altered,” he added.
Amin further stated that a letter from Mbagathi Hospital confirmed Ojwang was brought in around 2 am and was pronounced dead upon arrival.
In response to questions on the involvement of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Amin explained that station commanders are required to approve the admission of detainees who appear physically unwell.
“There is no way a report office personnel would admit someone in custody who shows signs of physical injury or torture,” he said.
“That is why confirmation from the OCS was sought before booking.”
Amin said Senior Sergeant Sigei was the officer who contacted the OCS for clearance.
