Newly released CCTV footage from Mbagathi Hospital has intensified public outrage and allegations of a police cover-up in the death of 31-year-old Kenyan blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died in custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station.
The footage, obtained by a local television station on June 14, 2025, reveals that police officers delayed over 24 minutes before transferring Ojwang’s body from their vehicle into the hospital, contradicting claims that he was rushed for urgent medical attention.
The footage shows a police vehicle arriving at Mbagathi Hospital at 1:35 a.m. on June 8, 2025, carrying Ojwang’s body. Three officers are seen exiting the vehicle, engaging in conversation, and making phone calls, while Ojwang remained unattended in the back.
At 1:46 a.m., a stretcher was brought out, and it took an additional 12 minutes to load Ojwang onto it, with assistance from a hospital guard.
By 2:11 a.m., his body was wheeled out of the casualty section, with hospital records confirming he was already deceased upon arrival, bearing severe injuries including a swollen face, extensive bruising, and blood oozing from his head, mouth, and eyes.
A post-mortem conducted on June 10 by five pathologists, led by Dr Bernard Midia, ruled out police claims that Ojwang died from self-inflicted injuries by hitting his head against a cell wall.
The autopsy revealed head injuries, neck compression, and multiple soft tissue traumas consistent with assault, prompting widespread demands for accountability.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has reported that CCTV footage from Central Police Station, where Ojwang was held, was deliberately erased, with digital video recorder (DVR) logs showing discs were replaced and formatted on June 8 at 7:23 a.m. and 7:23:48 a.m.
A technician, Kelvin Mutisya Mutava, arrested for tampering with the system, allegedly admitted to being paid Ksh. 3,000 to delete footage from June 6 and 7.
People have amplified public sentiment, with users claiming the delayed hospital transfer and erased footage indicate police knew Ojwang was dead before arriving at Mbagathi, accusing authorities of staging the transfer to mask the circumstances of his death.
Lawyer Willis Otieno has challenged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to release any remaining footage, calling the discrepancies “perjury” and “obstruction of justice”.
Chief Inspector Samson Talam, the Officer Commanding Central Police Station, and Police Constable James Mukhwana have been arrested in connection with the case, alongside the technician.
IPOA’s investigation continues, with 14 officers interrogated and six interdicted.
President William Ruto has called for a “swift, transparent, and credible” investigation, condemning the incident as “heartbreaking and unacceptable”.
Ojwang was arrested on June 6 in Homa Bay over a social media post allegedly defaming Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat. He was transferred over 350 km to Nairobi and booked at Central Police Station on June 7 at 9:35 p.m. under the charge of false publication.
Less than six hours later, his death was recorded, sparking protests in Nairobi and comparisons to historical cases of police brutality, such as the 1977 death of South African activist Steve Biko.
As investigations by IPOA and Parliament proceed, Ojwang’s family and activists demand justice, with his father, Meshack Ojwang, pleading for answers: “They saw our home was humble and assumed we didn’t matter.”
The case has reignited concerns about police accountability in Kenya, with calls for systemic reform growing louder.
