The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is expected to file a miscellaneous application in court seeking to detain James Mukhwana, a police officer stationed at Nairobi’s Central Police Station, for 21 working days as investigations into the custodial death of Albert Ojwang continue.
According to IPOA’s Senior Assistant Director of Investigations, Abdirahaman Jibril, Mukhwana is the key suspect in the murder of Ojwang, an offence contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
Ojwang died while in police custody at the Central Police Station, under circumstances the Authority now describes as brutal and premeditated.
Preliminary findings by IPOA suggest that Mukhwana, along with unidentified accomplices, orchestrated and executed a fatal assault on the deceased while he was detained in the station’s cells.
Additionally, investigators allege that Mukhwana and his associates attempted a cover-up by tampering with the station’s CCTV system.
The officer was arrested on June 12, 2025, and booked at Capitol Hill Police Station. IPOA argues that his continued detention is crucial to prevent interference with witnesses, key documents, the crime scene, and other critical evidence.
The Authority also told the court it needs access to and analysis of Mukhwana’s mobile phone, which may contain communication with persons involved in the planning and aftermath of the assault. IPOA further noted that Mukhwana held the keys to the cell where Ojwang was confined, and was the cell sentry on the night the incident occurred.
Ojwang was discovered unresponsive in a pool of blood at around 1:40 a.m. and was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A postmortem conducted on June 10, 2025, established that he died from head injuries caused by blunt force trauma, neck compression, and multiple bruises on his body.
Investigators also allege that Mukhwana and others made false entries in police records to mislead inquiries. Logs reviewed by IPOA showed the DVR power cable was disconnected on June 8, 2025, and the operating discs were changed and formatted that same morning suggesting deliberate tampering with CCTV evidence.
IPOA intend to warn that releasing Mukhwana on bail could endanger his own safety, given the public outrage surrounding the case, and would risk compromising the integrity of ongoing investigations.
The suspect yet to be arraigned in court.
