The National Police Service say popular X influencer Albert Omondi Ojwang hit his head on the wall, causing injuries that led to his death while in police custody.
While responding to growing concerns over the suspicious death, police claim Ojwang, who was being held at the Central Police Station, Nairobi, deliberately hit his head on a cell wall and was rushed to the Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Initial reports suggested Ojwang, known online for his outspoken commentary, passed away barely 24 hours after being taken into custody at Central Police Station by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
But in a statement on the afternoon of Sunday, June 8, NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga addressed the controversy, insisting that Ojwang was arrested lawfully and was facing allegations of false publication.
"NPS confirms that Albert Omondi Ojwang was lawfully arrested by DCI detectives for false publication and placed in custody. While in custody, the suspect sustained head injuries after hitting his head against the cell wall," the statement from NPS read.
The NPS also corroborated reports that Ojwang sustained head injuries, although they had a conflicting version of events from reports circulating online.
“Police officers on duty promptly noticed the injuries and rushed him to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” the statement added. Our analysis shows that, in normal traffic, it would take roughly 10 to 20 minutes to rush someone to Mbagathi Hospital, which is 16 kilometres from Central Police Station.
While the extent of the injuries to Ojwang remains unclear, some are questioning why police opted to rush him to Mbagathi Hospital and not Kenyatta National Hospital or other hospitals that are closer to the station.
Furthermore, beyond saying Ojwang was pronounced dead on arrival, it is unclear whether he was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance or not. These are some of the details that human rights experts are demanding be made public.
Ojwang's death has since sparked widespread speculation, with police coming under fire over alleged misconduct.
In their statement, the NPS also confirmed IPOA had stepped in to conduct separate investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the influencer's death.
"In line with statutory requirements, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an investigation into the incident," Nyaga confirmed in the statement.
The NPS's statement came after Amnesty International called for independent investigations following Ojwang's death. Amnesty noted that after the investigations, IPOA should make the findings public to end all speculation.
"The findings of these investigations must be made public, and any officers found responsible must be held fully accountable in accordance with the law. This incident is yet another stark reminder of the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and far-reaching reforms within our law enforcement institutions," Amnesty said.
