PRESS STATEMENT: Police Reforms Working Group statement on the death of Mwalimu Albert Ojwang’

Nairobi Monday, June 9, 2025 – Now that the Inspector General, Douglas Kanja, has reportedly revealed DIG Eliud Lagat was the complainant, PRWG demands that DIG Lagat be investigated as to his role in the arrest that led to Albert Ojwang’s death. False publication is a misdemeanour “crime”. Why would the Directorate of Criminal Investigations use so much public taxes to arrest Albert Ojwang in Homa Bay and drive 350 km past several police stations and courts to Central Police Station, Nairobi? Why would a suspect commit suicide after peacefully complying with an arrest and actively calling for family and friends to raise bail for him?

Yesterday’s attempts by Albert Ojwang’s father, the family lawyer, the LSK President and IPOA to access the crime scene were prevented by the deliberate disappearance of senior officers at Central Police Station.

With the announcement of the interdiction/suspension of the Officer Commanding Station, Duty Officer, Cell Sentry and all officers in duty during this fateful night, IPOA and KNCHR must exercise their mandates to immediately access and secure the crime scene and all evidence and interview all officers, detainees and witnesses to the homicide. We call for the arrest and interview of all officers who came into contact with the late Albert Ojwang.

Members of the Police Reforms Working Group shall provide support for the victim’s family, an independent pathologist for the post-mortem into the cause of death and any other actions we can take to ensure justice and compensation for his widow, child and wider family.

Once again, Kenyans must confront the ugly reality that senior police officers are at the centre of widespread and systematic arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and police deaths at the hands of police officers. This death confirms it.

With our law enforcement agencies severely compromised, it is also time for the Kenyan authorities to admit a UN fact-finding team to independently investigate these, as well as other deaths and abductions. Without independent and external investigation, these practices shall remain a threat to Kenyan lives, the rule of law, national security and the public interest.

#JusticeForAlbertOjwang

Police Reforms Working Group -Kenya Coalition Members

This statement is signed by the Police Reforms Working Group, an alliance of national and grassroots organizations committed to professional, accountable, and human rights-compliant policing. They include:  Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Kariobangi Paralegal Network, Katiba Institute, Defenders Coalition, Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW), Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), International Justice Mission (IJM-K), HAKI Africa, Amnesty International Kenya, Women Empowerment Link, Social Welfare Development Program (SOWED), Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA- Kenya), International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ – Kenya), Transparency International Kenya, Shield For justice, Wangu Kanja Foundation, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), Kenyans for Peace, Truth and Justice (KPTJ) and Peace Brigades International Kenya (PBI Kenya).