Albert Ojwang murder case: DPP approves charges against six police officers

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The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved the prosecution of six(6) police officers for the murder of Albert Omondi Ojwang, a teacher and blogger who died in custody at Central Police Station, Nairobi.

In a letter dated Monday, June 23, 2025, DPP Renson Ingonga said the evidence submitted by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) was sufficient to support a murder charge against the officers. 

Ojwang was arrested on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at his home in Kakoth in Kenya's Nyanza region and transported to Nairobi.

Police account said that he was found unconscious in a police cell and declared dead on arrival at Mbagathi Hospital on Sunday, June 8, 2025. 

However, it is alleged that he was tortured to death in the police cell.

“I am satisfied that the evidence establishes a prosecutable case for the offence of murder,” wrote Mr Ingonga, adding that further charges could follow pending completion of IPOA’s final report.

The six(6) officers to be charged are:

1. Samson Talaam – Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Central Police Station
2. Sammy Kimutai Mutai
3. Felix Kipruto Serem
4. Maurice Mukanda
5. Martin Okello
6. James Mukhwana – Cell sentry officer who had earlier appeared in court

According to the postmortem results, Ojwang had suffered multiple injuries, including blunt force trauma to the head, neck compression, and extensive bruising—injuries that contradicted initial claims by the officers that he may have harmed himself or suffered a medical condition.

Ojwang’s death sparked public outrage, with human rights groups and MPs demanding swift justice.

IPOA’s investigations revealed a cover-up and deliberate use of excessive force.

One investigator told the court that phone records were tampered with through spoofing, a practice used to hide call identities—raising further suspicion about the involvement of high-ranking officials.

The case also casts a shadow over Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, who filed the initial complaint that led to Ojwang’s arrest.

Mr Lagat has since stepped aside from his duties and was recently questioned by IPOA.

While he has not been named in the current charge sheet, the DPP’s letter suggests further legal action is possible once IPOA submits its comprehensive report.

All six(6) suspects are expected to appear before court this week to answer to the charges.