Albert Omondi Ojwang, a suspect held at Central Police Station, was arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for alleged false publication. According to a police statement released on Sunday, Ojwang reportedly hit his head against the wall of his cell before officers noticed his injuries and rushed him to hospital.
He was pronounced dead on arrival at Mbagathi Hospital.
The official version of events has stirred both grief and skepticism among members of the public, with many on social media calling for accountability.
In the statement, Muchiri Nyaga, spokesperson for the National Police Service (NPS), said: “The suspect sustained head injuries after hitting his head against the cell wall. Police officers on duty promptly noticed the injuries and rushed him to Mbagathi Hospital.”
The police said Ojwang was legally arrested and that procedures were followed.
But the death has prompted an immediate inquiry by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), a civilian body mandated to investigate police misconduct in Kenya.
“We have launched a full investigation into the incident,” an IPOA official confirmed by phone on Monday. “The public deserves transparency, and the family deserves answers.”
This is not the first time Kenyan police have come under scrutiny for the handling of suspects in custody. Human rights groups have long raised concerns about the conditions inside holding cells, alleging that abuse and neglect are not uncommon.
In 2023, a report by Amnesty International noted that more than 60 people died in police custody that year, with many cases still unresolved. The police have often defended their actions, saying officers operate under difficult conditions and follow procedure.
Still, critics argue that official narratives are often hard to verify due to lack of CCTV coverage in cells and limited access for independent monitors.
Ojwang’s family has not yet issued a public statement, but local activists are calling for a post-mortem conducted by an independent pathologist.
As investigations unfold, pressure is mounting on the National Police Service to prove its claim that no foul play was involved. “We reaffirm our commitment to upholding constitutional standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” said Nyaga.
