IG Kanja Admits to Misleading Statement, Outlines Full Timeline in Albert Ojwang Death Case

Appearing before a tense Senate session, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja issued a formal apology and presented a detailed timeline regarding the arrest and death of Albert Ojwang, a university student and social media activist who died in police custody. The IG’s remarks marked a critical step in addressing national outrage over what many have termed an act of police brutality and systemic impunity.

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📌 The Timeline: What Happened to Albert Ojwang

IG Kanja laid out a precise chronology of events leading up to Ojwang’s death:

• June 4: A formal complaint was filed by Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), accusing Ojwang and others of using the social platform X to make defamatory allegations of corruption.

• June 5: A suspect, Kelvin Moinde, was arrested in Makueni County and claimed Ojwang and others were part of the same group running anonymous digital accounts targeting public officials.

• June 7: Police arrested Albert Ojwang in Homa Bay. He was transported to Central Police Station, Nairobi, arriving at approximately 9:17 PM. His booking was officially logged at 9:35 PM.

• June 8 (morning): Ojwang was found unresponsive in his cell and later declared dead at Mbagathi Hospital.

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❌ False Narrative Exposed, IG Issues Apology

The IG’s most critical admission involved the initial police statement, which claimed Ojwang died by intentionally banging his head against the wall of his cell. This version of events sparked public fury and was immediately disputed by eyewitnesses and activists.

“That statement was inaccurate, misleading, and regrettable. I sincerely apologise to the Senate, to the nation, and most importantly, to the family of Albert Ojwang,” IG Kanja stated.

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🧪 Postmortem Findings: Not an Accident

Independent postmortem results, submitted through the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), painted a grim picture:

• Cause of death: Blunt force trauma to the head, neck compression, and extensive bruising across the body.

• Conclusion: Injuries inconsistent with self-harm.

• Additional red flag: CCTV cameras at the police station were found tampered with, raising serious suspicions of evidence cover-up.

These findings aligned with citizen reports and activist claims that Ojwang may have been tortured while in custody.

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⚖️ Oversight, Accountability, and Senate Demands

The Senate demanded transparency and personal accountability from the NPS. IG Kanja assured the House that all officers involved in the case had been suspended, and a full internal review was underway.

“We have submitted all findings to IPOA and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. We will not stand in the way of justice. The public deserves answers, and Albert Ojwang’s family deserves closure,” he said.

However, several senators expressed concern that accountability must go beyond administrative measures and lead to criminal prosecution where warranted.

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🔥 Nationwide Reactions and Protests

In response to Ojwang’s death, protests erupted across Nairobi, with demonstrators demanding justice and structural police reform. Riot police used tear gas to disperse crowds, drawing even more criticism from civil society organizations and the international community.

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📊 Quick Summary of IG’s Senate Report

Date	Event
June 4	DIG Lagat files complaint over online defamation
June 5	Cybercrime unit begins investigation; arrests first suspect
June 7	Ojwang arrested in Homa Bay, detained in Nairobi
June 8	Found unresponsive, pronounced dead at hospital
June 9	Initial police report (later debunked) suggests self-inflicted injury
June 10+	Postmortem shows blunt force trauma; CCTV found tampered
June 11	IG Kanja apologizes, outlines timeline, pledges justice

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🧭 What’s Next?

• IPOA continues independent investigations.

• Senate to monitor case progression.

• Public demands for prosecution of culpable officers remain high.

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✍️ Conclusion

IG Kanja’s Senate appearance marked a turning point in the national conversation about police accountability in Kenya. While his apology and detailed timeline were necessary steps, many observers believe that true justice will only be seen if those responsible for Ojwang’s death are charged, prosecuted, and convicted.

Albert Ojwang’s name may now become a symbol—of both a broken system and the urgent need to fix it.

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Editor’s Note:
Albert Ojwang was a 22-year-old university student and online activist whose death in police custody has sparked national and international attention. This article will be updated as investigations proceed