Public Outcry Leads To Suspension Of Officers After Influencer Albert Ojwang Dies In Police Custody

The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Nairobi’s Central Police Station, along with all officers on duty the night influencer Albert Ojwang died, have been interdicted. This swift action by the National Police Service (NPS) comes amid widespread public outcry and demands for answers regarding Ojwang’s death while in police custody.

According to a statement from NPS Corporate Communications Director Muchiri Nyaga, speaking on behalf of Inspector General Douglas Kanja, the interdictions aim to facilitate a transparent and independent investigation. Those affected include the OCS, the duty officer, cell sentry, all present report office officers, and any other officer involved. Disciplinary and legal actions are anticipated based on the investigation’s findings.

Ojwang, a prominent social media personality, reportedly died under unclear circumstances. Conflicting police accounts — one stating he died upon arrival at Mbagathi Hospital, another claiming he died at the station — have fueled calls for accountability from human rights organizations like the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the public. Questions persist about his arrest, detention, and the exact chain of events leading to his death, with demands for an independent postmortem and inquest.

The NPS has committed to full cooperation with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is conducting its own parallel probe. As investigations proceed, Ojwang’s family and Kenyans on social media continue to demand justice and clarity.