The US Embassy in Kenya has called for accountability in investigations into the murder of blogger Albert Ojwang.
Ojwang died at the Central Police Station in Nairobi on Sunday. He was hit on the head, and his death was likely to have been caused by assault, a post-mortem revealed.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Embassy called on the government to ensure the investigations are carried out transparently and ensure those responsible are brought to book.
“Noting concerns around the circumstances of Ojwang’s death, the Embassy supports calls from government, parliamentarians, and Kenyan citizens for accountability through a transparent investigation,” the statement read.
The Embassy is also pushing to have the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to be fully empowered to complete its probe without obstruction.
“The Embassy urges the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to conduct its ongoing investigation swiftly and thoroughly. We also call on the Kenyan government to ensure IPOA has the access and support needed to perform its duties.”
It further extended its sympathies to Ojwang’s loved ones: “The Embassy of the United States of America extends our condolences to the family and loved ones of Albert Ojwang during this time of mourning.”
The remarks came shortly after President William Ruto ordered the police to fully cooperate with IPOA in the investigations as they seek to get to the bottom of the matter.
"I therefore call on the National Police Service to fully cooperate with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and to take every necessary measure to facilitate a swift, transparent, and credible investigation into the death of Ojwang," Ruto said in a statement shared by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed.
The Head of State has also issued a warning to the police over the failure to ensure the safety of Ojwang while in their custody. According to him, it should be the responsibility of the NPS to ensure that whenever they take a person into custody, they should assume responsibility for that individual's safety.
Ojwang's death saw the Senate to suspend its normal business to discuss the issue, with Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, IG Douglas Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations Amin Mohammed being grilled by the lawmakers.
Also grilled during Wednesday's session was IPOA deputy chairperson Ann Wanjiku. The officials appeared before the House to answer questions on the ongoing investigations after autopsy details revealed that Ojwang's death was caused by torture and strangulation.
Meanwhile, IG Kanja has apologised to the country for the false report by NPS over the death of Ojwang while in police cells. The police had implied suicide as the cause of death.
