Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja was, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, taken to task over the specific incidents surrounding the controversial death of Albert Ojwang.

 Speaking while appearing in the Senate on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Kanja laboured to respond to a raft of questions put to him, with his explanation on why Ojwang was put under solitary confinement proving to be a major sticking point.

The IG elected to swerve some questions while passing the buck to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and IPOA, who have since taken up the matter for an independent inquest.

Among the questions was why Ojwang was booked on solitary confinement and what necessitated the transporting of the suspect from Homa Bay to Nairobi, which the IG referred to the DCI for a conclusive answer.

Amason Kingi – The question was, why was this young man booked alone in a cell, and your response is, 'that matter is under investigation, is that your response?

Douglas Kanja – Yes. #K24updates pic.twitter.com/doIIznDkFu

— K24 TV (@K24Tv) June 11, 2025

The matter prompted Speaker Amason Kingi’s intervention, who demanded the IG make himself clear on the matter even as senators demanded forthrightness from the officer.

Upon further questioning on circumstances that warrant a person of interest to be put on solitary confinement and if Ojwang fit the description for solitary confinement, the IG did not take a position, stating he looks forward to getting the answers from IPOA, much to the chagrin of the senators.

Senator Boni Khalwale, rising on a point of order, questioned Kanja’s motive and conduct as a witness before the chamber.

“The public and the senate are expecting the witness to shed light, which can only come from the evidence they are adducing. There is something called a hostile witness. When a witness becomes emotional with truth or witness or attempts to evade questions, then what is the value of this execerise?” Khalwale lamented.

“Honourable senators, the IG has responded to that question; his answer may not be satisfactory, but it is still an answer. That is what he replied,” Kingi interjected while asking for the proceedings to move on.

Additionally, Kanja also answered queries of why Ojwang was transported to Mbagathi and not Kenyatta Hospital. 

“Both the Kenyatta and Mbagathi hospitals are governmental hospitals, and we believe they have what it takes to treat a sick person,“ Kanja clarified a question posed by Senator John Methu.

In a related development, the IG retracted his earlier statement that Ojwang’ died after hitting his head against a wall.

He issued a public apology to the nation, embracing the autopsy report that was released on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

“Based on the report we have now received from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), it is not true that he hit his head against the wall. That was the initial report we were given from the beginning,” Kanja told senators.

“I tender my apology on behalf of the National Police Service for that misinformation.”