According to the paper, Albert Ojwang, a teacher and vocal social media figure, was tortured in Karura Forest before being returned unconscious to Central Police Station, where he later died, contradicting official police narratives.

Investigators believe Ojwang was in good health when booked at Central Police Station after being transported from Homa Bay by DCI officers.

However, between 9:35pm and at 1:39am, he was secretly removed from his cell and taken to Karura Forest in a private vehicle.

There, he was allegedly handcuffed, beaten unconscious, and then returned in critical condition.

The paper says some officers objected to receiving an unresponsive detainee, but higher orders overruled them.

Ojwang was placed in a solitary cell, while petty offenders were reportedly released to make space. His death was officially logged at 1:39am under OB number 9/08/06/2025.

IPOA deputy chairperson Ann Wanjiku told the Senate that CCTV systems at the station, especially near Ojwang’s holding cell, had been tampered with.

The footage was vital but appears deliberately disabled.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has since called for a prompt investigation by IPOA to establish what happened and who was responsible.

He acknowledged that the interference with the station’s CCTV system is also under scrutiny.

The paper reported that President William Ruto appointed seven new commissioners to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), including Erastus Edung Ethekon as chairperson, despite an existing High Court order barring such action.

The appointments were made through a Gazette Notice dated Tuesday, June 10.

Others named as commissioners include Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, Fahima Araphat Abdallah, Moses Mukhwana, and Mary Sorobit.

This move directly defies a conservatory order issued by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, which allowed the National Assembly to vet the nominees but explicitly prohibited their formal appointment or swearing-in.

The order was issued following a legal challenge filed by two voters, Kelvin Roy Omondi and Boniface Mwangi, who argued that Ruto’s appointments failed to reflect regional balance and raised concerns over the eligibility of some nominees.

Justice Mugambi stressed that the ban on appointments was essential to ensure the court process remains meaningful.

He warned that if the commissioners were sworn in before the case was resolved, the court proceedings would become pointless.

The president's action has sparked legal and political debate over respect for court authority and the integrity of the IEBC’s reconstitution process.

The Swahili paper reported that Popular Mugithi musician Samuel Muchori, better known as Samidoh, may not report to work in Gilgil any time soon despite an official directive from the police.

The National Police Service (NPS) had accused Samidoh of abandoning his duties at the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), where he was transferred by senior officers displeased with one of his performances in which fans were heard chanting the political slogan “Wantam.”

According to an internal police memo signed by Kennedy Barasa on behalf of ASTU commander Joseph Limo, Samidoh was expected to report to work on May 27, but has yet to do so.

Samidoh posted the schedule for his upcoming music tour in the United States, set for June and July.

In the cryptic message shared shortly after the police directive, he listed the cities where he will perform: Houston, Texas, Massachusetts, Dallas, and Washington.

As per the daily, tensions are rising within the political alliance between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga following the deaths of blogger Albert Ojwang’ and Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were.

Ojwang’ was found to have been strangled, while Were was fatally shot.

The incidents have triggered outrage among ODM leaders, who are demanding justice and threatening to withdraw from the coalition agreement if accountability is not upheld.

ODM Deputy Party Leader and Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi said the deaths amounted to a serious violation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Ruto’s UDA party.

“We agreed there would be no abductions or extrajudicial killings,” Osotsi stated. “Failure to address this will be considered a breach.”

The MoU, signed on March 7, 2025, at KICC, was not a power-sharing pact but a response to the 2024 Gen Z protests.

It aimed to promote political stability and address key issues such as human rights, corruption, and forced disappearances. However, ODM leaders now say the government has fallen short.

Homa Bay senator Moses Kajwang’ questioned the government’s progress in addressing the demands raised during the protests.

MPs Millie Odhiambo, James Nyikal, and Catherine Mumma condemned what they called a growing culture of extrajudicial killings.

Odhiambo dismissed claims that her criticism undermines ODM’s cooperation with the government.

She added that ODM had raised concerns directly with Ruto, who promised to act against rogue elements within the state.

As pressure mounts, the future of the Ruto-Raila alliance appears uncertain, with ODM demanding transparency, justice, and an end to what it sees as targeted political violence.

Source: TUKO.co.ke