The death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang has shaken the foundations of Kenya’s police service. But a fresh testimony from a junior officer now threatens to blow the entire case wide open.
On Monday, June 16, Constable James Mukhwana—the first person arrested in connection with Ojwang’s death—broke his silence.
He offered a chilling confession to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), exposing a coordinated chain of orders that led to Ojwang’s torture and eventual death inside Nairobi’s Central Police Station.
His statement places one powerful figure squarely in the spotlight—Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat. Now, the case has taken a new direction, and DIG Eliud Lagat could soon find himself fighting to stay out of court.
DIG Eliud Lagat Named in Shocking Confession by Police Constable
Constable Mukhwana’s confession reads like the script of a horror film. He told IPOA that on June 7, he was called into the office of his boss, Central Police Station OCS Samsom Talaam.
There, he was informed of a directive from above—specifically from DIG Eliud Lagat. A suspect would be delivered that evening, and the orders were simple: deal with him.
When Mukhwana asked what would happen if the operation went wrong, OCS Talaam allegedly reassured him, saying he was just following orders and wouldn’t get into trouble.
Around 9pm, a black Subaru arrived at the station. In it was Albert Ojwang, handcuffed and silent. According to Mukhwana, the OCS confirmed Ojwang’s identity and gave the green light to proceed. Ojwang was booked at 9:20pm, and then all hell broke loose.
Four officers, all currently in custody, allegedly carried out the torture. Mukhwana revealed that each of them was paid Ksh2,000 to participate.
What followed was brutal and swift. Mukhwana said he heard desperate screams from Ojwang’s cell. When he checked, he found the blogger in a horrific state, bleeding from the mouth and visibly shaken.
Ojwang’s Final Hours and Police Efforts to Hide the Truth
Despite his condition, there was no immediate medical help. Mukhwana claims he urged the deputy OCS to take Ojwang to hospital, but his pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears. Hours later, the 29-year-old was dead.
On June 8, Mukhwana began receiving calls from fellow officers asking if he’d heard that Ojwang had died. The OCS allegedly downplayed it, insisting everything was under control. But within days, the web of lies began to fall apart.
On June 11, Mukhwana gave a false statement to IPOA—something he later admitted was part of a collective effort by officers to hide the truth. But guilt caught up with him. The very next day, June 12, he returned to IPOA and told the real story.
Mukhwana’s second statement shattered the silence. It detailed the chain of command, naming OCS Talaam and tracing the deadly order back to DIG Eliud Lagat. “Those were the instructions from OCS Talaam, who got directives from DIG Lagat,” he confessed.
In a deeply emotional end to his testimony, Mukhwana apologized to Ojwang’s family. “May God be with you,” he said, claiming that Ojwang was never supposed to die—just be punished.
DIG Lagat Steps Aside, but Questions Remain
Shortly before Mukhwana’s confession went public, DIG Eliud Lagat announced that he would be stepping aside to allow for a full investigation. However, critics argue that his resignation is a public relations move aimed at avoiding arrest.
Calls for his arrest have grown louder. Former Chief Justice David Maraga has already demanded legal action against DIG Lagat, OCS Talaam, and DCI boss Mohammed Amin. Civil society groups are now rallying around Ojwang’s case, demanding justice not only for him but for others who have died in police custody.
Meanwhile, IPOA is said to be building a strong case with the help of Mukhwana’s testimony. It remains to be seen whether Kenya’s justice system will hold one of its top police officers accountable.
For now, the public waits. But one thing is clear—Ojwang’s death was no accident. It was a state-sanctioned killing, and Constable Mukhwana’s truth may finally be the spark that ignites long-overdue reform.
