Tag Albert Ojwang

Nairobi, 11 June 2025, PRWG-K1 Has reviewed the postmortem findings into the death of Albert Ojwang (31) and confirms, as many Kenyans already know, he did not die from self-inflicted injuries as earlier claimed by the National Police Service. We call for the immediate stepping aside of Mr. Eliud Lagat, the Deputy Inspector General and head of the Kenya Police, who has been revealed to be the complainant in the matter that led to the arrest of Albert Ojwang. Mr. Lagat must, in the public interest, allow for an impartial and speedy investigation. Investigation into the death of Albert Ojwang cannot be impartial or be seen to be impartial while the complainant is at the helm of the investigation.

We call on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), to immediately summon and take statements from Eliud Lagat, OCS Central Mr Samson Talam, and all other officers who were involved in the arrest, booking and detention of Albert.

PRWG-K further demands that the National Police Service reveal the circumstances leading to the arrest and transportation of Albert over 350 kilometres to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, despite statutory requirements providing that all offences be tried in the nearest court unless transferred to a different jurisdiction by a court order. 2 The National Police Service must account for Albert’s whereabouts for the entire period preceding his booking into the Central Police Station.

We note that the Inspector General of Police failed to name the officers who were in charge of Central Police Station when Albert Ojwang was killed, despite stating that they have since been interdicted. We demand that the National Police Service make known the chain of custody for the deceased from the time he was arrested to the time when he was booked in at Central Police station.

We reiterate that Police stations are places of protected custody and Police officers are required to keep suspects safe, free from torture, inhumane treatment, as these are protections envisaged in Article 244 of the Constitution of Kenya. The National Police Service must promptly investigate Albert’s death to restore public trust.

The National Police Service Commission must confront the ugly reality of widespread arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and deaths at the hands of police officers. We call upon IPOA and KNCHR to lead the investigations and ensure that they extend beyond interdictions and suspensions, and that those found culpable are arrested and tried before a court of law. Without independent and external investigation, these practices continue to pose a threat to Kenyan lives, the rule of law and national security and the public interest.

Police Reforms Working Group, an alliance of national and grassroots organizations committed to professional, accountable, and human rights-compliant policing. They include: Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Kariobangi Paralegal Network, Defenders Coalition, Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW), Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), International Justice Mission (IJM-K), HAKI Africa, Amnesty International Kenya, Women Empowerment Link, Social Welfare Development Program (SOWED), Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA- Kenya), International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ – Kenya), Transparency International Kenya, Shield For justice, Wangu Kanja Foundation, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium.

NAIROBI Monday, June 9, 2025: Now that the Inspector General, Douglas Kanja, has reportedly revealed DIG Eliud Langat was the complainant, PRWG demands that DIG Lagat be investigated as to his role in the arrest that led to Albert Ojwang’s death. False publication is a misdemeanour “crime”. Why would the Directorate of Criminal Investigations use so much public taxes to arrest Albert Ojwang in Homa Bay and drive 350 km past several police stations and courts to Central Police Station, Nairobi? Why would a suspect commit suicide after peacefully complying with an arrest and actively calling for family and friends to raise bail for him?

Yesterday’s attempts by Albert Ojwang’s father, the family lawyer, the LSK President and IPOA to access the crime scene were prevented by the deliberate disappearance of senior officers at Central Police Station.

With the announcement of the interdiction/suspension of the Officer Commanding Station, Duty Officer, Cell Sentry and all officers in duty during this fateful night, IPOA and KNCHR must exercise their mandates to immediately access and secure the crime scene and all evidence and interview all officers, detainees and witnesses to the homicide. We call for the arrest and interview of all officers who came into contact with the late Albert Ojwang.

Members of the Police Reforms Working Group shall provide support for the victim’s family, an independent pathologist for the post-mortem into the cause of death and any other actions we can take to ensure justice and compensation for his widow, child and wider family.

Once again, Kenyans must confront the ugly reality that senior police officers are at the centre of widespread and systematic arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and police deaths at the hands of police officers. This death confirms it.

With our law enforcement agencies severely compromised, it is also time for the Kenyan authorities to admit a UN fact-finding team to independently investigate these, as well as other deaths and abductions. Without independent and external investigation, these practices shall remain a threat to Kenyan lives, the rule of law, national security and the public interest.

#JusticeForAlbertOjwang

Police Reforms Working Group -Kenya Coalition Members

This statement is signed by the Police Reforms Working Group, an alliance of national and grassroots organizations committed to professional, accountable, and human rights-compliant policing. They include:  Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Kariobangi Paralegal Network, Katiba Institute, Defenders Coalition, Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW), Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), International Justice Mission (IJM-K), HAKI Africa, Amnesty International Kenya, Women Empowerment Link, Social Welfare Development Program (SOWED), Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA- Kenya), International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ – Kenya), Transparency International Kenya, Shield For justice, Wangu Kanja Foundation, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), Kenyans for Peace, Truth and Justice (KPTJ) and Peace Brigades International Kenya (PBI Kenya).