The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has ordered the immediate suspension of senior officers at Nairobi’s Central Police Station following the controversial death of Albert Ojwang, a suspect who died while in police custody.
Ojwang, a teacher and father of a two-month-old baby, was found with severe head injuries inside a police cell and later died in hospital. The 35-year-old, who was arrested in Homa Bay on Saturday for allegedly posting a “derogatory” message on social media platform X, was transferred to Nairobi by DCI detectives and held at Central Police Station. Police claimed he died by suicide, an explanation that has been fiercely disputed by human rights groups and legal experts.
In response to growing public outrage and nationwide calls for justice, IG Kanja directed the interdiction of key personnel including the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), the Duty Officer, the Cell Sentry, and all officers manning the Report Office on the night of the incident. Any other officers found to be involved have also been suspended pending investigation.
“This move is aimed at facilitating a thorough, impartial, and expedited investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA),” said police spokesperson Michael Muchiri in a statement on Sunday night. “The National Police Service (NPS) remains committed to the rule of law, human rights, transparency, and accountability.”
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation, with civil society organizations and prominent legal bodies demanding transparency and justice. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo called for an urgent and independent investigation into Ojwang’s death.
“We want IPOA to take over this matter immediately. There must be an independent post-mortem, and all evidence must be preserved. Kenyans deserve the truth,” Odhiambo stated. “The perpetrators behind this alleged murder must be held personally accountable.”
The narrative of suicide has been rejected by several human rights organizations, who argue that Ojwang’s injuries were inconsistent with self-harm and point instead to possible torture or foul play while in custody.
As pressure mounts on the government to address increasing concerns over police brutality and custodial deaths, this case has become a flashpoint in the wider national debate on police accountability in Kenya.
