Karen Nyamu questions who IG Kanja was shielding in disputed statement on Ojwang’s death
Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has lambasted the National Police Service over its initial statement regarding the death of social media influencer and teacher Albert Ojwang.
The senator accused the police of attempting a cover-up and demanded to know who was being protected.
Speaking during a heated Senate plenary on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Nyamu said the apology issued by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja was not enough, as the original claim that Ojwang died after hitting his head against a wall appeared to be part of a larger scheme to hide the truth.
“I know the IG of Police has apologised today for the initial statement. But that statement is tantamount to a cover-up, and we are curious to know on whose behalf he was doing that cover-up,” Nyamu fiercely stated.
She pointed out the double standards often observed in the criminal justice system, where cases involving high-profile individuals tend to be fast-tracked, while those affecting ordinary citizens, particularly in sensitive cases involving the police, appear to stagnate.
“How come we don’t have all of them taking pleas? Why haven’t they been charged to date? Such a crime cannot be committed in the ignorance of anyone in that cell. Everyone is involved one way or another,” she added.
Nyamu further warned that police misconduct was damaging the image of the government.
“This misconduct of police is tarnishing the reputation of the government. We have a tag as a ‘blood-based government.’ How many people have been charged in the killings of the many Gen Zs? It is the work of the police to charge, or are they the ones sabotaging this government?” she questioned.
Kanja apologises
Her remarks followed IG Douglas Kanja’s retraction of the original police report, which had claimed Ojwang died after repeatedly hitting his head against a wall inside a cell at Central Police Station.
Kanja, who appeared before the Senate the same day, said his earlier statement was based solely on information provided by officers from the station. He admitted it was incorrect and offered a public apology.
“Based on the report we have now received from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, 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 the Senate.
“I tender my apology on behalf of the National Police Service for that misinformation.”
He added that IPOA was now in charge of the investigation and promised to support their efforts to uncover the truth.
“We want to know who killed Ojwang and why. Let us allow IPOA to carry out quick and conclusive investigations,” the police boss said.
Kanja also confirmed that the reported tampering of CCTV systems at the station is part of the ongoing probe.
Ojwang’, a 28-year-old teacher and online influencer, was arrested on the afternoon of Saturday, June 7, 2025, at his home in Homa Bay County. He was transported to Nairobi and died in police custody the following morning.
Initially, police claimed he was found unconscious in a cell and rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The police attributed his injuries to self-harm, saying he had hit his head against the wall repeatedly.
However, an autopsy conducted on Tuesday, June 10, revealed that Ojwang had been brutally assaulted, leading to a public outcry and questions about the police’s handling of the case.
During her testimony before the Senate, IPOA Deputy Chairperson Ann Wanjiku confirmed that Ojwang had been arrested by five officers. She also revealed that IPOA only learned of his death through media reports and launched an immediate investigation.
“One of the key findings was that the CCTV systems located at the OCS’s office had been interfered with,” Wanjiku said, pointing to growing concerns of a deliberate attempt to cover up the circumstances of Ojwang’s death.
