The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has confirmed that crucial CCTV footage at Nairobi’s Central Police Station was interfered with, raising fresh suspicions around the mysterious death of popular political blogger Albert Ojwang.
Speaking during a fiery Senate Security Committee sitting currently underway in Nairobi, IPOA Vice Chairperson stated that preliminary investigations show “clear evidence of tampering” with surveillance footage at the station where Ojwang was held just hours before his death occured, indicating that the footage, which was expected to shed light on the blogger’s final moments, is either missing, edited, or deliberately obscured, IPOA revealed.
This bombshell aligns with an earlier autopsy report, which ruled out the official police narrative that Ojwang committed suicide by baging his head on the wall.
IPOA has confirmed it has now opened a full criminal inquiry into the officers who were on duty on the night of Ojwang’s death, and the National Police Service is also expected to issue a formal statement within the next 24 hours.
Ojwang’s family , civil society organizations, and fellow bloggers have long suspected foul play, accusing authorities of “targeted political elimination.” The confirmation that CCTV evidence may have been doctored is only likely to fuel public outrage.
Senators Demand Arrests, Immediate Suspension of Officers
Senators across the political divide have demanded the immediate arrest and suspension of officers involved and called for independent experts to handle all digital forensic work moving forward.
The Senate Committee has summoned Interior Kipchumba Murkomen, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to who are currently appearing before the house to shed more light.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations have announced a nationwide protest on Friday, calling for #JusticeForOjwang and a total overhaul of police cell surveillance systems across the country.
While appearing before the Senate, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Albert Ojwang, describing the death as troubling and deeply painful. He assured the House that the government would use every resource at its disposal to deliver justice, and promised that no interference would be tolerated in the investigations. Murkomen clarified that his role is limited to policy oversight as per the Constitution, placing the responsibility of the probe squarely on the Inspector General of Police.
