Ten police officers attached to the Central Police Station in Nairobi have been grilled by the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) as part of a probe into the death of Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody under suspicious circumstances.

The officers, including those who were on duty during the incident on June 7, were summoned between Friday and the weekend to record statements. The IAU is seeking to establish what happened before and after Ojwang was detained and later found dead in the station cells on June 8.

The IAU, which investigates police conduct, is conducting the inquiry following reports that some officers were involved in Ojwang’s assault and may have attempted a cover-up.

The agency is expected to forward its findings and recommendations to the Inspector General of Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Authorities say the station commanders misled their seniors about the events surrounding Ojwang’s detention and death. Central Police Station boss Samson Talam was arrested on Friday after police claimed he had switched off his phones and gone missing.

However, his family refuted the claims, saying Talam was in regular communication with colleagues and voluntarily surrendered to the DCI.

Another female officer linked to the case was also located and questioned on Friday. Talam has been named as a key suspect after several suspects and witnesses mentioned him in their statements. He has denied the allegations through his lawyer Danstan Omari and is expected in court on Monday, June 16.

Ojwang had been arrested at his home in Homa Bay over allegations of false publication. He was transferred to Nairobi, booked at the Central Police Station, and later fatally assaulted.

Two officers and a technician are already in custody. The technician, who installed CCTV cameras at the station, admitted to deleting and formatting footage after the incident and said he was paid Sh3,000 to do so.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since obtained court orders to detain police officer James Mukhwana for one week.

In documents filed at the Milimani Law Courts, IPOA stated that Mukhwana and other officers yet to be arrested participated in the fatal assault on Ojwang.

IPOA also raised concerns about a cover-up attempt involving tampering with CCTV footage at the station.