The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a statement following the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang, a well-known X influencer, who reportedly died while in custody at Central Police Station in Nairobi.
According to the police statement released on Sunday, June 8, Ojwang was arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for allegedly making false publications online.
“NPS confirms that Albert Omondi Ojwang was lawfully arrested by DCI detectives and placed in custody. While in custody, he sustained head injuries after hitting his head against the cell wall,” the statement read.
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Ojwang Was Rushed to Hospital, Pronounced Dead
The police added that officers on duty acted swiftly when they noticed Ojwang’s injuries and rushed him to Mbagathi Hospital. He was, however, pronounced dead on arrival.
Read more:Shock as X Influencer Albert Ojwang Dies in Police Custody After Arrest
The NPS further confirmed that an independent investigation has been launched by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to establish the full circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death.
Family and Human Rights Groups Demand Answers
Ojwang was initially arrested in Homa Bay County and transported to Nairobi, where he was detained. His death has sparked public outrage, with many Kenyans calling for accountability.
The family’s lawyer, while condemning the incident, said: “It doesn’t matter what the offence is; due process must be followed. This young man should have been taken to court—not ended up dead in a police cell.”
Hussein Khalid, Executive Director of VOCAL Africa, a civil rights watchdog, said his team is closely following the case. “We suspect this could be another case of extrajudicial killing. We are investigating to determine the actual cause of death,” he stated.
Context of Rising Tension Over Police Conduct
This incident comes amid growing concern over rising cases of deaths in police custody across Kenya. Rights groups and lawmakers have increasingly demanded reforms and stronger oversight mechanisms for law enforcement agencies.
For updates on this developing story, visit TheStar.co.ke.
