Inside blogger Ojwang’s final 24 hours as detailed by IG Kanja

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has outlined the events leading to the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody less than a day after being arrested over cybercrime allegations.

Kanja told the Senate that the matter began on June 4, when Deputy Inspector General Eliud Langat lodged a complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations over social media posts accusing him of corruption within the National Police Service.

The posts published on the platform X claimed Langat had strategically placed his trusted officers in control of key departments such as the DCI desks, Occurrence Book, and traffic units to manage revenue and intelligence.

"The post claimed that he was involved in corruption within the NPS. Specifically, the published information alleged that Lagat has strategically placed his most trusted officers in charge of the DCI books desk and traffic shifts in order to control both revenue streams and intelligence flow," Kanja said.

One of the posts also included a photo of Langat with an officer identified as Chirchir and alleged that he had bought a property in Dubai worth 2.6 million dollars.

"EACC investigating top cop after purchase of $2.6 million home in Dubai, accompanied by Lagat's image and the headline 'Eliud Lagat Mafia Police'."

The complaint was filed under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, prompting the formation of a five-officer team to investigate.

That same day, Senior Superintendent Hillary Mutai recorded Langat’s statement and the team wrote to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Communications Authority of Kenya.

CAK confirmed the X account that published the posts had around 13,400 followers and provided the registration details. The EACC responded on the same day, stating that Langat was not under investigation.

Kanja said that although the allegations were found to lack a factual basis, CAK was able to directly link the posts to several individuals, including Ojwang.

He told the Senate that this led to a decision to arrest those responsible, as there was a prima facie case under cybercrime law.

On June 5, police arrested Kelvin Muinde at his residence and took him to Kenyenya Police Station before transferring him to the DCI headquarters in Nairobi.

During interrogation, Muinde named Albert Ojwang, Dorcas Mawia, Douglas Marigiri, and Peter Mbugua as accomplices and provided their X account handles.

Investigators later confirmed that Ojwang had posted similar defamatory content from his own account.

On June 7, officers travelled to Mawego Police Station and were joined by three officers for the operation.

Ojwang was arrested from his home, briefly held at the station, and later transported to Nairobi.

During a stop in Narok, the officers said Ojwang requested refreshments and was given water, soda, and biscuits.

The team arrived at Central Police Station in Nairobi at 9:17 p.m. and Ojwang called his wife at 9:24 p.m. to inform her of his arrival.

He was booked into custody at 9:35 p.m. by Police Constable Mohamed Rashid, who confirmed that he was in normal physical and mental condition at the time.

However, Kanja said that during a routine cell check in the early hours of June 8, officers found Ojwang unconscious. He was taken to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival at 1:31 a.m.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority was informed immediately after the incident.