IPOA: Mukhwana is person of interest, he was on shift
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has named Police Constable James Mukhwana as a person of interest in the ongoing investigation into the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, June 13, 2025, IPOA Commissioner Boniface Samati confirmed that Mukhwana was on duty at the time Ojwang was detained.
“We can confirm that Constable Mukhwana was on shift on that day. From the investigations, we believe he has something that he knows.”
Samati added that the constable was later relieved of his duty that day, raising further questions about his involvement or knowledge of the events that led to Ojwang’s death.
“At the time when Albert Ojwang which one we spoke to. He was on the sheet, but he was relieved thereafter,” said Samati.
The Commissioner emphasised that the investigation remains active and that IPOA is committed to transparency and accountability.
“This is what we want to say once more: again, this is a very evolving situation, and we may call you shortly after this, maybe next week and thereafter, to update you on the progress we are making. Thank you very much,” he said.
The legal battle
Meanwhile, Mukhwana was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on Friday, June 13, 2025, as the IPOA continues with investigations into the death of social media influencer Albert Omondi Ojwang.
Constable James Mukhwana, who served as the cell sentry on the night of June 8, 2025, appeared before Milimani Magistrate Robinson Ondieki.
IPOA, through a miscellaneous application, has requested that he be held for 21 more days to allow the authority to finalise investigations into the alleged murder.
“We seek to have Mukhwana detained at the Capitol Hill Police or any other police station within the Republic of Kenya as the investigations may dictate for 21 working days,” IPOA seeks.
In a supporting affidavit sworn by Abdirahman Jibril, the Senior Assistant Director of Investigations at IPOA, the authority has informed the court that it had launched investigations “on its motion” upon learning of Ojwang’s death through media reports and a signal from the Inspector General of Police.
“IPOA is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Ojwang while in police custody at Central Police Station,” the officer told the court.
“Our preliminary investigations have revealed that the Respondent (Mukhwana), together with other persons at the Central Police Station, brutally assaulted the deceased inside the cells, leading to his death,” Jibril stated.
