Detectives are intensifying a manhunt for at least two police officers believed to have played a role in the murder of 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang.
Ojwang died under suspicious circumstances while in custody at the Central Police Station, prompting widespread public outrage and a full-scale investigation led by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Authorities say the two officers, among those suspected of direct involvement, went into hiding after being summoned for questioning. Their phones have been switched off, making it difficult to trace them.
“They have switched off their mobile phones and we can’t find them for now. We are, however, optimistic we will find them for justice,”
The IPOA had directed that three officers and two civilians be arrested and processed, but so far, only partial success has been achieved. A police constable was arrested earlier in the week in connection to the incident.
In a further twist, some of the 17 officers already questioned have returned to IPOA to change their initial statements. Investigators say these officers now admit that the fatal assault on Ojwang occurred inside the Central Police Station cells — a key revelation that contradicts earlier official accounts.
Detectives are also looking for a riot baton believed to have been the murder weapon.
In total, at least 23 individuals — including 17 police officers and six civilians — have been interrogated in connection with the case. Among the civilians is a CCTV technician who confessed to deleting footage from the police station’s surveillance system shortly after Ojwang’s death. He admitted to being paid Ksh 3,000 for erasing the footage.
This tampering with evidence points to a wider conspiracy and a deliberate attempt to cover up the murder. The technician is currently in custody and assisting with investigations.
IPOA has pledged to leave no stone unturned in delivering justice to the late Ojwang and his family.
The hunt for the remaining suspects continued into Friday morning, with authorities urging the missing officers to surrender immediately.
