Violence, vandalism mark police custody death protests, police officer arrested

Businesses remained closed and protests escalated on Thursday as investigations into the death of Albert Ojwang’, a teacher and social media influencer, reached a major breakthrough with the arrest of a police officer linked to his alleged murder in a cell at Central Police Station, Nairobi.

Police Constable James Mukhwana, who served as the cell sentry at Central Police Station on the night Ojwang’ was detained, was arrested shortly after top security officials appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security.

Those grilled by the committee included Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairperson Isaack Hassan and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohammed.

Mukhwana is currently being held at the Capitol Hill Police Station and is expected to be charged with murder.

“Please be informed that PC James Mukhwana of Central Police Station, Nairobi, was arrested today, 12/06/2025, and placed in custody at Capitol Hill Police Station by officers from IAU and IPOA,” a police brief stated.

He is to be charged with murder contrary to Section 203, as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.

The arrest follows statements recorded from 22 officers, five directly involved in Ojwang’s arrest and 17 others who were on duty at the time.

The IPOA Chairperson informed the committee that preliminary findings suggest an attempted cover-up.

“The intent to cover up was evident after officers tampered with CCTV footage. IPOA has established that someone was called in to interfere with the CCTV feed after Ojwang’ was brought to Central Police Station,” he said.

Hassan further noted that Ojwang’ died while in custody, citing bloodstains found on the floor and walls of his cell.

Inspector General Kanja reiterated that any officer named in the investigation will be required to record a statement, including Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, if implicated.

DCI boss Amin Mohammed accused Central Police Station OCS Talam of misleading the public by claiming that Ojwang’ had banged his head while in custody.

Amin described Talam as the prime suspect in the investigation and warned the committee not to rely on his testimony, which he said lacked credibility.