Contrary to the conflicting accounts by police of what transpired, a clear picture has emerged of a carefully planned secret operation involving powerful figures within the security establishment.
Sources close to the ongoing investigation say between 9.35 pm and 1.39 am, the time of Ojwang’s death as recorded in the Occurrence Book, he was removed from his cell and taken to Karura forest.
“The truth is, Ojwang’ was in good condition when booked. But he was moved later that night, tortured, and returned nearly lifeless,” said a source familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Ipoa deputy chairperson Ann Wanjiku confirmed before the Senate that the CCTV system at Central police station—especially near the cell holding Ojwang’—was interfered with.
"One of the key findings was that the CCTV systems located at the OCS’s office had been interfered with," Wanjiku said on Wednesday.
According to multiple sources, a private vehicle was used to ferry Ojwang’ from the station to Karura forest. This was after the DCI vehicle that had transported him from his home in Homa Bay to Nairobi was discharged.
“The truth is that Ojwang’ was delivered to the Central police station by the officers who arrested him while in good condition and booked. But he was again moved out at night to a forest along Kiambu Road, where he was tortured,’’ said a source aware of the events, but who sought anonymity so that he could speak freely.
Inside the forest, he was allegedly beaten unconscious—kicked, punched, and assaulted while still handcuffed—by a group of officers, including a senior police figure and his driver.
When Ojwang’ slipped into a coma, his assailants reportedly panicked. They bundled him back into the private vehicle and returned him to Central police station just after 1 am.
Some station officers allegedly objected to taking a bleeding, unresponsive man into custody, but were overruled. An order came “from above” to book him.
Ojwang’ was placed in a solitary cell. Petty suspects were reportedly released that night to make space. The DCI vehicle used to bring him from Homa Bay was dismissed. The mission, it seems, was done.
At 1.39 am, Ojwang’s death was officially recorded under OB number 9/08/06/2025.
On Wednesday, Inspector of Police Douglas Kanja said police wanted to know who killed Ojwang’ and why, and called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to conduct speedy investigations into the death.
“Let us give Ipoa an opportunity to conduct quick investigations, so that we can know what happened,’’ he said, insisting that the interference with CCTV at Central was under Ipoa probe.
What started as a routine booking at Central police station on the night of Saturday, June 7, ended in tragedy and outrage.
Ojwang’, a father of one and newly married, was pronounced dead less than four hours after being placed in a cell—his body broken, his voice silenced.
An autopsy done on Tuesday revealed that the blogger was hit on the head and his death was likely to have been caused by assault.
The details contradicted earlier police claims that Ojwang "sustained head injuries after hitting his head against a cell wall" and that he was found unconscious in his cell.
Ojwang’s journey from a village in Homa Bay county on June 7 to the heart of Nairobi was meant to be temporary.
Arrested over controversial online posts that allegedly mentioned Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat in connection with corruption claims, he was transferred to the capital by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers.
At 9.35 pm, Ojwang’ was booked under OB number 136/7/6/2025. IGP Kanja confirmed this before the Senate, stating that officers noted his “physical and mental condition” was stable at the time of booking.
He was allowed to make two calls—one to his wife and another to a friend—informing them that he had arrived safely in Nairobi.
Ipoa revealed that Ojwang’ was arrested in Homa Bay by DCI officers who included Sergeant Sigei, Sergeant Wesley Kipkorir Kirui, Constables Dennis Kinyoni, Milton Mwanze, and Boniface Rapudo.
Wanjiku said the team went to Lida centre and arrested the deceased at around 2.30 pm on June 7, 2025, before taking him to Mawego police station.
But shortly after Ojwang’ was booked at Central, his phone went off as one of his friends quickly mobilised a group of activists.
They rushed to the police station that night, seeking to confirm Ojwang’s well-being. Although officers confirmed he was inside, the group was denied access and told to return in the morning.
Unknown to them, the man they were hoping to check on was allegedly being led into darkness and death.
