By Eddah Waithaka
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has strongly condemned the death of Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody at Central Police Station, Nairobi, in what appears to be a blatant violation of due process and human rights.
Ojwang, arrested in Homa Bay on allegations of “false publication” related to a social media post, was initially held at Mawego Police Station before being transferred to Nairobi under unclear circumstances.
His family confirmed he was in good health at the time of arrest, raising serious questions about the events leading to his death in custody.
Illegal Arrest and Transfer
The LSK has highlighted multiple breaches of the law in Ojwang’s case. Police unlawfully transferred him from Homa Bay to Nairobi without a court order, violating Section 71 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the National Police Service Standing Orders, which mandate judicial approval for such transfers.
Deputy Inspector General Ellud Langat’s complaint appears to have motivated the arrest, suggesting possible abuse of power.
Additionally, police failed to uphold Ojwang’s constitutional rights to fair treatment, further exposing systemic brutality within law enforcement.
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Demands for Justice
The LSK has issued the following demands: The National Police Service must fully cooperate with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) by granting unrestricted access to evidence and witnesses for their investigation.
Deputy Inspector General Ellud Langat, as the complainant, must recuse himself from the investigation to prevent any conflict of interest.
Authorities must immediately implement urgent systemic reforms at Central Police Station, which has a notorious record of rights violations.
Additionally, citizens must remain vigilant and report any cases of police brutality to ensure accountability and justice.
“This is not an isolated incident,” the LSK stated. “Albert Ojwang’s death reflects a deep-rooted culture of impunity within the police service. Kenya must not tolerate extrajudicial killings, we demand justice, transparency, and immediate reforms.”
The LSK has vowed to pursue legal action and push for nationwide police accountability measures, urging Kenyans to stand against brutality.
Ojwang’s case adds to growing concerns over detainee safety.
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