Police Constable James Mukhwana will remain in custody until June 20 as the court considers a request by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to detain him for 21 days to allow the completion of investigations into the death of blogger Albert Ojwang at Central Police Station.

Appearing before the Milimani Law Courts, IPOA’s investigating officer, Abdirahman Jibril, told the court that releasing Mukhwana could interfere with ongoing investigations and influence witnesses.

IPOA also informed the court it is seeking a court order to compel Safaricom to release subscriber details, call records, and location data for 17 mobile phone numbers believed to be connected to the case.

Mukhwana, who is based at the Central Police Station in Nairobi, was arrested on Thursday over allegations he was involved in the torture and death of Ojwang while in custody.

A government autopsy had earlier pointed to signs of torture and strangulation, contradicting initial claims by police of self-inflicted injuries.

Opposing the application, Mukhwana’s lawyer Danstan Omari told the court there are no compelling reasons to hold the officer any longer.

He added that his client had voluntarily presented himself to the authorities when summoned, indicating cooperation.

Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki said he needed time to review the lengthy submissions before making a ruling and directed that Mukhwana remain in custody at Capitol Hill Police Station until June 20.