The death of blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang’ in police custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station has triggered a widespread murder investigation, public outcry, and protests, leading to the arrest of key police personnel. Ojwang’ was reportedly arrested on June 7, 2025, at his home in Homa Bay County, following a complaint filed on June 4, 2025, by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat. Lagat had alleged that Ojwang’ used an X (formerly Twitter) account, 'Pixel Pioneer,' to publish “continuous false and malicious publications” against him.

Upon his transfer to Nairobi and booking into the Central Police Station, Ojwang’ died. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched an investigation, revealing a grim sequence of events. Preliminary findings indicate that Constable James Mukhwana, who served as the Cell Sentry on the night of June 8, 2025, along with other individuals at the Central Police Station, brutally assaulted Ojwang’ inside the cells, leading to his death. This contradicts initial police statements suggesting Ojwang’ had committed suicide by banging his head against a cell wall. An autopsy conducted on June 10, 2025, confirmed that Ojwang’ was assaulted and his neck compressed, quashing the initial official narrative. Following these findings, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja publicly apologized to Kenyans for the misleading statement.

IPOA’s investigation also uncovered significant efforts to cover up the alleged crime. The CCTV system at Central Police Station had been interfered with: the DVR power cable was disconnected, and the operating discs were changed and formatted on June 8, 2025, between 07:28:43hrs and 07:32:29hrs. A technician involved in the tampering was arrested and reportedly confessed to being paid KSh 3,000 to delete footage showing movements leading to Ojwang's death. Furthermore, IPOA alleged that “false entries were made in police records to mislead any subsequent investigations.” Constable Mukhwana was reportedly in “constant communication with people within and outside the Central Police Station immediately before, during and after the commission of the crime,” suggesting coordinated efforts in the assault and cover-up.

Constable James Mukhwana was arrested on June 12, 2025, and arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on June 13, 2025. IPOA, through a miscellaneous application supported by an affidavit from Senior Assistant Director of Investigations Abdirahman Jibril, requested his detention for an additional 21 days to finalize investigations. Jibril emphasized that Mukhwana, as a police officer attached to the crime's 'locus in quo,' could interfere with investigations and tamper with evidence if released. Mukhwana’s defense team, led by lawyer Danstan Omari, represented him in court. The court remanded Mukhwana at Capitol Hill Police Station until June 20, 2025, when Magistrate Robinson Ondieki is expected to rule on the extended detention request.

In a related development, Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam was arrested in Eldoret on June 13, 2025, where he was reportedly hiding. Talaam, named a prime suspect by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohamed Amin, is considered a person of interest by IPOA. Amin stated that Talaam failed to formally book Ojwang’ into the Occurrence Book upon his arrival at the station, pointing to his likely complicity. Talaam had initially denied culpability, claiming he was not at the station when Ojwang’ was brought in and found him critically injured, deciding to rush him to Mbagathi Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, Ojwang’s death ignited protests in Mawego village, Homa Bay, where residents, mostly youth, marched with twigs and placards demanding justice. They accused the police of a cover-up and criticized IPOA and the National Police Service (NPS) for perceived delays in action. Protesters questioned the shifting police narrative from suicide to tampered CCTV footage and demanded the immediate suspension and prosecution of implicated officers. They also dismissed attempts to shift blame, such as to mobile service provider Safaricom, warning that young voices critical of authority were being silenced. The protests reflected a growing mistrust in the government’s handling of the case.

Internally, leaked WhatsApp chats from the Central Police Station’s group circulated online, showing officers expressing sympathy and support for their arrested colleague, Officer Mukhwana. Some officers promised prayers, while others offered advice on proper procedures for admitting injured suspects and the importance of duty officers visiting cells and documenting visits, seemingly in response to the unfolding investigation. A police officer at the station confirmed the authenticity of the leaked chats. IPOA continues its investigation, seeking time for retrieval and forensic analysis of CCTV data, seizure of police documents, forensic examination of suspects' mobile phones, completion of sample analysis from the Government Chemist, and further witness interviews, all in the interest of justice and the rule of law.