Albert Ojwang murder probe: IPOA says CCTV at Central Police Station was interfered with
IPOA had seized the CCTV recording device and sent it for forensic analysis, which confirmed that it had been tampered with.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has confirmed that the CCTV system at Central Police Station in Nairobi was interfered with as part of a growing investigation into the death of teacher and social media influencer Albert Ojwang.
Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, IPOA Vice Chairperson Ann Wanjiku told senators that preliminary findings had ruled out suicide and pointed to foul play, following a forensic analysis of the CCTV system and a post-mortem conducted on Ojwang.
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“The CCTV system located at the OCS office had been interfered with. The post-mortem showed that Ojwang died from a head injury caused by blunt force trauma, neck compression, and multiple bruises on his body. This clearly shows he did not die by suicide,” she said.
IPOA had seized the CCTV recording device and sent it for forensic analysis, which confirmed that it had been tampered with.
Ojwang was arrested in Migori and transported to Nairobi, where he died while in custody at Central Police Station. His death has drawn national attention, with the public and MPs demanding answers and accountability from police officers involved in his arrest and detention.
IPOA said their team visited and documented the crime scene to preserve evidence. They collected blood samples, analysed the pattern of blood at the scene, and secured police documents related to Ojwang’s detention. The Authority also confirmed that the five officers who arrested Ojwang had already recorded statements.
Mwangi told senators that IPOA had contacted the family and identified possible witnesses who could shed more light on the case.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua demanded clarity on the station where Ojwang was first booked upon arrival in Nairobi. He also raised concerns about the lack of transparency on whether Ojwang was in good health at the time.
"Who interfered with the CCTV cameras on the night in question? You cannot tell us you don't know because if you do, there is a big problem, Mr IG," Wambua said.
Nominated Senator Veronica Maina questioned why there was no backup footage from such a sensitive station, saying the CCTV system at Central Police Station should have redundancies.
Wanjiku said several steps in the investigation are still pending. These include a full analysis of all samples, further statements from family members and officers at Central Police Station, collection of medical documents from Mbagathi Hospital, and a full review of all evidence.
“I issue our condolences, as the Authority, to the family of the young man. We have been mandated to oversee the police on issues of crime and criminal offences,” said Wanjiku.
IPOA assured the Senate that the final report will reflect an independent and complete investigation into Ojwang’s death.
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