A high-ranking police official has cast serious doubt on the official version of events surrounding the mysterious death of Albert Ojwang, a 27-year-old teacher and social media influencer who died in police custody on June 7.

Charles Owino, the Head of the National Communication Centre and a veteran police spokesperson, has publicly challenged the explanation provided by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and other senior officers involved.

According to the police, Ojwang allegedly sustained fatal injuries after hitting his head against a wall—despite being alone in a holding cell.

“How do you come up with a theory that someone hit their head if the individual was alone in the cell?” Owino asked during a media interview.
“That alone gives a bad image to the service.”

Inconsistencies and Accountability Gaps

Owino explained that the Inspector General (IG) of Police typically relies on reports verified by the OCS and the Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD). However, the early report on Ojwang’s death contained inconsistencies that cannot be ignored.

“Sometimes, it is just better to tell things as they are,” he warned. “You may end up protecting someone who later destroys the credibility of your entire institution.”

Owino stressed that full transparency is necessary—not only to find the truth but to maintain public trust in law enforcement.

Autopsy Holds the Answers

Owino underscored the importance of the ongoing postmortem, which began Tuesday at City Mortuary, to establish the actual cause of death.

“What I can say is that the autopsy will be very important,” he noted, echoing concerns voiced by Ojwang’s family and a coalition of civil rights groups.

Key Officers Must Account for Themselves

The senior official also called on officers who were on duty that night—including the report office personnel and the cell sentry—to provide full statements on what transpired.

“We need to know if anyone gained access to the cells at night, and if so, who they were,” Owino insisted.
“This is the only police service we have, and it must maintain public trust.”

Public Outcry Over Custodial Death

Ojwang’s case has captured national attention, with activists, MPs, and human rights watchdogs demanding a thorough investigation. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched a formal inquiry into the incident.

Many Kenyans are asking the same question Owino posed: How does a man die in a cell alone—and no one sees what happened?