Justice for Ojwang: More officers surrender as torture, cover-up claims rock police force

Two more police officers linked to the death of teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody have surrendered to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), raising the number of officers detained to four as investigations into the suspected torture and cover-up continue to intensify.

The officers appeared at IPOA offices on Monday and were immediately taken into custody for further processing and possible court hearings.

They were reportedly on duty when Ojwang was transferred from Homa Bay to Nairobi’s Central Police Station under the watch of DCI officers.

Initial reports from investigators reveal that the officers were allegedly ordered to help plan Ojwang’s torture, which later led to his death in custody.

It remains unclear whether the two officers, who surrendered after a weekend search following their disappearance, will face charges or serve as witnesses in the ongoing investigation.

This development follows the arrest of Central Police Station Commander Samson Talaam, who was detained on June 13 and remains held at Lang’ata Police Station. IPOA accuses him of orchestrating and covering up the fatal assault on Ojwang.

A Nairobi court is expected to decide tomorrow (Wednesday) whether Talaam will be kept in custody for an additional 21 days.

In sworn statements, IPOA investigators said Talaam maintained communication with Constable James Mukhwana, another suspect who reportedly had access to the cells at the time of Ojwang’s detention.

IPOA argued that releasing Talaam could interfere with the investigation, affect witness testimonies, and pose a public safety risk given his position and influence within the police service.

Talaam’s lawyer argued against the continued detention, saying there is no strong evidence and highlighting his cooperation and 29 years of police service. The defence asked the court to grant bail set at Sh7,000.

In the meantime, four civilians related to the case remain in custody.

IPOA has interviewed at least 17 officers and eight other individuals as investigations proceed.

CCTV system

In a related case, a court in Kahawa on Monday ordered two suspects, including a 23-year-old technician, to remain in detention for 14 days.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• National
• Homa Bay
• Murder
• IPOA
• Albert Ojwang
• Samson Talaam
• Nairobi Central Police Station
• Constable James Mukhwana
• Justice for Ojwang
• Ojwang torture
• Justice for Ojwang: More officers surrender as torture
• cover-up claims rock police force

They are accused of tampering with the CCTV system at Central Police Station to hide evidence of the killing.

IPOA claims the technician was paid Sh3,000 to disable the surveillance during the time Ojwang was held. He was arrested alongside another suspect believed to have been inside the cells at the time. Both suspects are currently held at Kilimani Police Station.

The IPOA Assistant Director of Forensics, Paul Njihia, told the court that the tampering with CCTV made it harder to confirm whether Ojwang was tortured at the station. He also said the suspects’ phones have been seized for forensic examination.

Due to the sensitive nature of the case, Njihia requested parts of the hearing to be held in private, which the court approved.

The court set a 14-day detention period, shorter than the 21 days IPOA initially sought.

Following these developments, Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat has stepped aside. He had previously said false reports about him were circulated before Ojwang was moved to Nairobi and died in custody.

IPOA warned that more arrests could follow as the probe into what they described as a “gruesome murder” continues.