Police Constable James Mukhwana has drawn renewed public attention after revealing details about the events that allegedly preceded the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
According to Mukhwana, he received instructions from former Central Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Talaam to discipline Ojwang after the blogger was booked at the station. He claimed Talaam told him that the directive had come from a senior officer.
Mukhwana alleged that the action against Ojwang was linked to remarks the blogger had reportedly made online about the senior officer believed to have issued the instructions.
He further stated that Ojwang was conscious and alert when he arrived at the police cells on the evening of June 7, 2025. However, the situation allegedly changed after he was taken to a separate room within the police station.
According to Mukhwana’s account, Ojwang was severely assaulted inside the room. He maintained that the original intention was to keep the blogger at the station overnight before presenting him in court the following day. He also claimed that there had been no instruction to kill Ojwang.
Mukhwana said what was initially intended to be a form of punishment eventually escalated beyond what had allegedly been planned, resulting in Ojwang becoming unresponsive while still in police custody.
After officers noticed that Ojwang was no longer responding, arrangements were reportedly made to rush him to Mbagathi Hospital for emergency medical attention. However, medical personnel at the facility later declared him dead on arrival.
The circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death have continued to attract widespread public interest, particularly because he died while under the responsibility of law enforcement officers. Mukhwana’s account has added another dimension to the case by providing allegations about the instructions reportedly given before the incident.
The claims also raise further questions about accountability and the conduct of officers responsible for detainees. Investigations and court proceedings are expected to establish the individual roles of those implicated and determine the circumstances that ultimately resulted in Ojwang’s death.