A photo of Voi-based teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.
A Nairobi police constable attached to Central Police Station has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.
The arrest marks a significant development in the case, which has sparked public outrage and nationwide protests demanding justice for the slain activist.
Mr James Mukhwana was taken into custody on Thursday and transferred to the Capitol Hill Police Station.
According to a police signal obtained by the Nation, the constable faces a murder charge under Section 203 read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. The case is now under the joint jurisdiction of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) and the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU).
First arrest
Mr Mukhwana is the first police officer to be arrested in connection with Ojwang’s death a case that intensified when violent clashes erupted in Nairobi’s CBD during protests over the mysterious circumstances surrounding the teacher’s death.
Protesters march along Harambee Avenue, Nairobi on June 12, 2025. They demanded justice for Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody last weekend.
Initial police statements claimed Ojwang committed suicide by repeatedly banging his head against a cell wall. According to officers, he was found unconscious during a routine check and was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
However, more senior police officials, including DCI Director Mohamed Amin, have contradicted this narrative. Mr Amin stated that OCS Samson Talaam, the officer in charge at Central Police Station, ensured Ojwang’s safety before leaving him in custody. There has been no evidence suggesting he assaulted Ojwang.
This conflict in testimony has deepened public suspicion and intensified calls for accountability.
Summons
A total of 17 police officers involved in the operation that led to Ojwang’s arrest have been summoned by IPOA. Of these, six officers were placed on interdiction last Sunday by the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja. The interdicted personnel include OCS Samson Talaam, Duty Officer Samuel Ng’ang’a, Corporal Charles Muruki, Police Constables Debian Lusweti, Peter Kimani and Evaline Kanyiri
Agents from Ipoa have visited the cell where Ojwang was held. They confirmed that the station’s CCTV footage was missing and have commissioned forensic experts to recover any footage that may have captured the events of that fateful night. Investigators have also recorded statements from two cellmates who reported hearing “very loud screams” from Ojwang’s cell.
A Tuesday postmortem confirmed that Ojwang died of head injuries and blunt trauma, not suicide.
On Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) ordered Ipoa to conclude its investigations and submit a file within seven days.
