Inside Ojwang’s final hours: IG of Police Kanja lays bare timeline of arrest and death

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has provided a detailed account of the events leading to the arrest and death of social media influencer and teacher Albert Ojwang, whose case has sparked public outrage.

Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, Kanja said Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay on June 7 following a formal complaint lodged by Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

The complaint, filed with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on June 4, claimed that Ojwang had falsely posted on X that Lagat was being investigated for corruption by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

Following the complaint, DCI boss Director Mohamed Amin assembled a team of officers, including Abdullrahaman Hussein, Denis Kanyoni, Samuel Kamau, and Milton Mwanza, to handle the case.

Kanja told senators that Hillary Mutai from the Serious Crimes Unit and Mwanza went to Vigilance House on the same day to record Lagat’s complaint.

“On that day, the investigating team wrote to the EACC to confirm whether Deputy Inspector General of Police Lagat was under any investigation,” he said.

“A request was also made in writing to the Communications Authority to provide registration details and preserve the posts associated with the X account handle.”

The IG said the Communications Authority confirmed that the X handle was active and had 13,400 followers, while the EACC responded on June 5, clarifying that Lagat was not under investigation.

The team then sought more details on another individual, Kevin Moinde, and obtained registration information from the Communications Authority.

“The investigation team concluded that EACC had not initiated any investigations into Lagat, contrary to the claims made on social media,” Kanja said. “There existed a prima facie case for the arrest of the suspect under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.”

On June 5, the officers travelled to Kisii County and booked themselves at Kenyenya Police Station. Kanja said they were joined by a local officer named Phanice, who had been assigned by the sub-county DCI. The team arrested Moinde and booked him under OB number 25/05/06/2025 before taking him to DCI headquarters.

“At the DCI headquarters, Moinde provided a statement implicating four other individuals,” Kanja said. “The team’s analysis revealed that Ojwang had also posted similar content.”

On June 6, the officers proceeded to Homa Bay, where they reported to Magwengo Police Station. The Officer Commanding Station assigned them three officers to assist with the operation. Ojwang was arrested and booked under OB number 06/07/06/2025.

Later that day, the officers departed for Nairobi, with the departure recorded under OB number 11/07/06/2025. Kanja told the Senate that the team stopped in Narok town for refreshments and that Ojwang requested water, soda, and biscuits. They arrived in Nairobi at 9:17 pm.

“In Nairobi, Ojwang contacted his wife to inform her of his safe arrival. Mr Talam, the station OCS, was contacted and authorised the booking. After confirming his physical and mental condition, Ojwang was placed in the cells and the entry was recorded in the OB at 21:35 hours,” said Kanja.

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Kanja told the Senate that in the early hours of June 8, officers on routine checks found Ojwang unconscious in his cell. He was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.