CCTV camera at Central Police Station interfered with - IPOA claims

Preliminary investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) into the death of Albert Ojwang show that the CCVT camera at Central Police Station was interfered with.

Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, Ipoa further revealed preliminary report has ruled out suicide as the cause of Ojwang's death.

IPOA has claimed the CCTV systems located at the OCS office had been interfered with.

Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, Anne Wanjiku said the authority believed that Albert Ojwang did not die by suicide.

"The autopsy report and our preliminary investigation rule out the theory of suicide," she said.

According to Wanjiku, IPOA only became aware of Ojwang’s death through media reports and a police signal from the Inspector General.

She said the authority moved swiftly to initiate investigations and has so far accomplished a number of tasks.

This includes conducting forensic scene visits and documentation to preserve evidence, conducting and analysing blood samples, including blood spatter analysis, and retrieving police documents from Central Police Station.

IPOA also seized and forwarded the station's CCTV DVR for analysis, recorded statements from all five DCI officers involved in the arrest, attended the autopsy and secured a copy of the report.

Further, the authority contacted Ojwang’s family and identified potential witnesses, obtained Occurrence Book entries from Mawego and Central Police Stations, secured biological samples from the deceased pending submission to the Government Chemist, and recorded a statement from one detainee who was also held at Central Police Station.

Wanjiku told the Senate that the authority is now working to finalise some tasks, including forwarding of all collected forensic samples for analysis, recording statements from additional witnesses and Central Police Station officers, with sessions starting this morning at IPOA headquarters and collecting medical records from Mbagathi Hospital, with feedback expected by end of day.

Following these, the IPOA will compile and analyse all evidence to generate a comprehensive report.

Timeline of events

IPOA gave a timeline of events leading to Ojwang’s arrest and death as follows:

•June 4, 2025: DIG Eliud Lagat files complaint with DCI; Kelvin Muinde identified.

• June 5, 2025: Muinde arrested and detained at Kamukunji Police Station.

• June 7, 2025: Ojwang’ arrested in Homa Bay and taken to Mawego, then Central Police Station in Nairobi.

• June 8, 2025: Ojwang’ declared dead at Mbagathi Hospital; IPOA notified via media and police signal.

Wanjiku affirmed IPOA’s commitment to ensuring justice.

“Our mandate is to oversight police conduct in matters of crime. The investigation into Ojwang’s death is being handled with utmost seriousness,” she said. The case remains under active investigation.