Police Constable James Mukhwana, currently in custody in connection with the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang’, has come forward with a chilling account of the events that transpired on the night of June 7, 2025, while Ojwang’ was detained at the Central Police Station.
In a sworn statement to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Mukhwana directly implicates the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Samson Talaam, alleging that Talaam instructed officers to “discipline” Ojwang’—orders which he claims were passed down from Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Eliud Lagat.
These allegations come despite public denials by OCS Talaam, who has distanced himself from the incident.According to Mukhwana, he was summoned to Talaam’s office during his shift and told: “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.”
Mukhwana says he expressed concern about the directive, but was warned that disobeying orders could cost him his job.
Later that evening, at around 9:00 p.m., a black Subaru arrived at the station with a handcuffed man—later identified as Albert Ojwang’. Mukhwana says he called OCS Talaam, who confirmed that Ojwang’ was the suspect he had mentioned.
Ojwang’ was booked at approximately 9:20 p.m., and not long afterward, the assault began inside a cell near the station’s toilets. Mukhwana alleges that four inmates—Collins Ireri, Gil Ammiton, Brian Mwaniki, and Erick Ndambuki—were directed to carry out the beating. All four have since been arrested and charged.
As the situation escalated, Mukhwana and another officer, PC Kimani, say they intervened and found Ojwang’ bleeding and slumped against a wall. Mukhwana claims he then instructed Deputy OCS Samuel Nganga to take Ojwang’ to hospital. Mukhwana left for home around 10:00 p.m.
The next day, he began receiving calls from colleagues asking if he had heard about Ojwang’s condition. When he contacted Deputy OCS Nganga and later Talaam, he was reassured that “things were not bad” and that everything was under control.
However, on June 11, Mukhwana was summoned by IPOA to give a formal statement. He admits that in his initial account, he withheld key details to protect fellow officers, following a mutual agreement to stay silent.
But soon after, he felt betrayed, realizing he was being made a scapegoat.Troubled by guilt, Mukhwana returned to IPOA on June 12 and offered a full, honest account. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Capitol Hill Police Station.
In his concluding remarks, Mukhwana stated:“This is the truth of what happened. Ojwang’ was not meant to be killed but to be disciplined, as per instruction of OCS Talaam, who was acting under orders from DIG Lagat. I am sorry for Ojwang’s death.
May God bring healing to his loved ones. I know it is painful.”Through his legal team—Kevin Ondago, Clinton Mwale, and Bietta Wavinya—Mukhwana has applied for witness protection, expressing his willingness to testify fully.
The lawyers say their client will not be seeking bail, citing threats to his safety.They also report having been followed and harassed by individuals believed to be police officers, prompting them to file a formal complaint at Capitol Hill Police Station.
