A postmortem has established what caused the death of digital activist Albert Ojwang. Ojwang died while being detained at the Nairobi Central police station on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Government pathologist Dr Benard Midia said there were serious injuries to the head, features of neck compression and multiple soft tissue injuries that were spread all over the body, including the head, neck, upper limbs, trunk and lower limbs.
He explained that the injuries were externally inflicted and pointed towards assault.
He said the pathologists have samples from Ojwang’s body for forensic analysis
“The cause of death is very simple, as I have mentioned, head injury, neck compression and other injuries spread all over the body that are pointing towards assault,” Midia said.
Dr. Midia dismissed reports that Ojwang could have hit his head on the wall.
He said the bleeding on the head was partial and inconsistent with that of a person who could have hit his head on a blunt object, which is normally frontal.
“The pattern of the injuries on the head, hitting against the wall, would have a particular pattern, it would be a frontal bleed, but the bleeding we found on the skin of the head was partially spread on all aspects, including the face, the side of the head and the back. When we tie up with other injuries that are well spread on the body, then this is unlikely to be a self-inflicted injury,” Midia said.
Additionally, Midia said there were signs of struggle without giving much details.
The postmortem started at 8:30 am on Tuesday, June 10, at City Mortuary.
The autopsy was conducted by government pathologist Dr Benard Midia and Njoroge Richard.
Ojwang’s family was represented by Dr. Mutuma and Dr. Peter Ndegwa.
The exercise was initially set to be conducted on Monday, but it was postponed twice and rescheduled.
The family’s lawyer and other human-interest groups said the exercise was postponed on Monday morning to allow everyone to take part so that they can all agree with the results.
Later in the afternoon, the doctor sent by the Chief Government Pathologist, Dr. Johansen Oduor, withdrew from the planned autopsy, stating that he was Ojwang’s relative, which created a conflict of interest in the case.
Albert Ojwang Arrest and Death
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said Ojwang was arrested on Friday, June 6, for allegedly defaming Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
He was transported to Nairobi, where he was questioned by officers from DCI Headquarters on Saturday.
Ojwang was later booked at Central Police Station under Occurrence Book (OB) Number 136/7/6/2025 at 2135 hours.
Kanja said Ojwang was found unconscious during a routine cell inspection and was immediately rushed to Mbagathi Hospital for treatment.
Also Read: Albert Ojwang Death: Names of Police Officers Sent Home Revealed
He explained that it was necessary to investigate the death based on regulations governing deaths in police custody.
Kanja said the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) was notified to commence investigations in line with statutory requirements.
He also ordered the interdiction of five officers, including Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Taalam, Duty Officer Samuel Nganga, Corporal Charles Muriuki, Police Constables Debian Lusweti, Cell Central Peter Kimani, and Report Office Personnel Evaline Kanyiri.
Family Lawyer Take After Observing Body
However, family lawyer Julius Juma revealed that Ojwang’s body had injuries consistent with torture.
Juma said the head was swollen with blood oozing from the nose and mouth.
“The head was swollen all over, especially the frontal part, the nose, and the ear. There was a lot of blood coming from the mouth and nose,” he said.
Also Read: Albert Ojwang Death: Police Officers Sent Home as Script Changes
He had also dismissed the statements issued by the police regarding Ojwang’s arrest, detention and death.
Ojwang said the family was blocked from accessing the cell where Ojwang was before his death.
“There are a lot of inconsistencies in the police’s version of events. The police can’t even explain themselves consistently.” The family was also denied access to the cell where Albert allegedly died, with the DCI reportedly taking the keys to the room,” Juma noted.
Senate Committee
The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations is set to hold a meeting with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to deliberate on the circumstances surrounding the death of Albert Ojwang.
Kanja is expected to brief the MPs on the circumstances that led to his death while in custody.
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