The Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS) Douglas Kanja has interdicted several police officers following the mysterious death of Albert Ojwang’ while in custody.

In a statement on Monday, June 9, 2025, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga revealed that the interdictions would pave the way for independent investigations into the incidents surrounding Albert’s death.

“The National Police Service (NPS) wishes to inform the public that, following the tragic death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody at Central Police Station, Nairobi, and to ensure a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA),” the statement reads in part.

OCS among those interdicted

Among those interdicted are the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Central Police Station, the duty officer on Saturday, June 7, 2025, the officer in charge of watching over the cells, all officers on duty at the report office and any other officer on duty during the incident.

Any police officer who was involved in the handling of the deceased has also been interdicted.

“The Inspector General of the National Police has ordered the interdiction of the following officers with immediate effect: The Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Central Police Station, the duty officer on duty during the night in question, the cell sentry on duty at the time, all officers who were on duty at the report office that night and any other officer found to have been on duty or otherwise involved during the incident, the statement reads.

“The NPS remains committed to upholding the rule of law, human rights, transparency and accountability within the Service. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”

Hit head on wall

The statement came just hours after the NPS indicated that Albert had died from hitting his head on the cell wall while in custody at the station’s detention centre.

The remarks were met with outrage from a section of Kenyans calling for transparency into the investigations surrounding Albert’s death.

Albert was picked up from his home in Kabondo-Kasipul constituency, in the presence of his father, Meshack Ojwang, and briefly held at Mawego Police Station before being transferred approximately 300 kilometres to Central Police Station in Nairobi.

His father travelled overnight to come and see his son, but was informed upon reaching Nairobi in the morning of Sunday, June 8, 2025, that his son had died while in custody.

The distraught parent sobbed while narrating the harrowing incident at the entrance of the Central Police Station, noting that police officers had denied the family access to the cell where it is said that Albert had fatally injured himself inside.

Albert’s body is preserved at the Nairobi Funeral Home, formerly known as City Mortuary, after he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Mbagathi Hospital, where he had been rushed after sustaining injuries in his cell, according to a police s