DIG Eliud Lagat gave instructions for Albert Ojwang to be ‘disciplined’ – PC Mukhwana tells IPOA
Detained Central Police Station police constable James Mukhwana has made damning allegations implicating senior police officers in the death of Albert Ojwang.
Detained Central Police Station police constable James Mukhwana has made damning allegations implicating senior police officers in the death of Albert Ojwang.
In a statement recorded by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Mukhwana claimed that instructions to “discipline” Ojwang’ originated from Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat and were relayed through Central Police Station OCS, Samson Talaam.
According to Mukhwana’s account, he was summoned to Talaam’s office on Saturday, June 7 during his shift, and given disturbing instructions.
“There is a directive from DIG Lagat. Do you know him? There are officers from the DCI headquarters bringing a suspect here at 8:00 p.m. Tell the inmates to discipline him a bit,” Talaam allegedly instructed Mukhwana.
Mukhwana said he questioned the command and asked what if it goes wrong, but the OCS allegedly threatened him if he failed to comply.
Later that night, around 9:00 p.m., a black Subaru arrived at the station carrying a handcuffed man later identified as Ojwang.
Mukhwana says he confirmed with Talaam that this was the individual in question and formally booked him at 9:20 p.m.
After Ojwang was locked up in a cell near the station’s toilets, a violent assault reportedly began.
Mukhwana stated that four inmates, namely Collins Ireri, Gil Ammiton, Brian Mwaniki, and Erick Ndambuki, were instructed to beat him.
As the attack escalated, Mukhwana and fellow officer PC Kimani stepped in and found Ojwang bleeding and slumped against a wall.
“I immediately asked the Deputy OCS, Samuel Nganga, to take Ojwang’ to hospital at around 10:00 p.m., and I left for home,” Mukhwana said.
The following morning, on Sunday, June 8, Mukhwana received worried calls from colleagues asking if he had heard what had happened.
When he contacted Nganga for clarification, he was told to speak to Talaam, who assured him that they were safe.
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“Things are not bad. We are safe,” Talaam’s reportedly told Mukhwana.
However, by Wednesday, June 11, the situation had grown more serious,s and Mukhwana was summoned by IPOA to record a formal statement.
He admitted that his initial account was false, as part of an effort to protect his colleagues.
However, Mukhwana later realized he was being made the scapegoat in the incident, and feeling conflicted, he returned to IPOA on Thursday, June 12, to give a second, honest account.
He was arrested shortly after and held at Capitol Hill Police Station.
“This is the truth of what happened. Ojwang’ was not meant to be killed but to be disciplined as per instructions of the OCS Talaam, who was under the instruction of DIG Lagat. I am sorry for the death of Ojwang’.
May God help them to heal the loss. I know it is painful,” he said in his statement.
Mukhwana, who was serving as the cell sentry the night Ojwang was detained, was brought before Milimani Magistrate Robinson Ondieki on Friday, June 13.
Magistrate Ondieki granted IPOA’s request and ordered that Mukhwana remain in custody until June 20, when the court will revisit the detention decision.
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