How Albert Ojwang’ was tortured into coma at Karura Forest

By Newsflash Correspondent

Albert Ojwang’, a respected high school teacher, father, and vocal social media personality, was brutally tortured in Karura Forest before being taken unconscious to a Central Police Station where he later died, The Star newspaper has reported, citing credible sources.

Despite contradictory statements from the police, a clearer narrative has emerged pointing to a covert, well-coordinated operation involving high-level figures within the security apparatus.

Sources familiar with the investigation reveal that between 9:35 p.m. and 1:39 a.m., the time Ojwang’s death was logged in the Occurrence Book, he was forcibly taken from his home and driven to Karura Forest.

“Ojwang’ was healthy when first picked up. But after being taken to the forest, he was severely tortured and brought back nearly dead,” said a source involved in the probe, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case.

Ann Wanjiku, deputy chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), testified before the Senate that the CCTV footage from Central police station, especially covering Ojwang’s cell, had been tampered with.

“One crucial discovery was that CCTV systems linked to the OCS’s office had been interfered with,” she told senators on Wednesday.

Sources indicate that a private vehicle was used to transport Ojwang’ from the station to Karura Forest. This was not the DCI vehicle that later brought him from Homa Bay to Nairobi for discharge.

Reports suggest that while Ojwang’ was alive and responsive when brought to Central police station, he was later ferried to Karura Forest, tied up, and severely assaulted by officers — including a senior figure — while still handcuffed.

In the forest, Ojwang’ was reportedly beaten into unconsciousness — kicked, punched, and struck. When he slipped into a coma, his attackers, realizing the gravity of the situation, returned him to the station in a private car around 1 a.m.

Officers objected booking him in cell

Some officers at the station allegedly hesitated to admit him in that condition but were ordered to comply.

“Some station officers allegedly objected to taking a bleeding, unresponsive man into custody, but were overruled. An order came ‘from above’ to book him.”

He was placed in a solitary cell. Authorities have yet to clarify what happened in the hours that followed. At 1:39 a.m., Ojwang’s death was officially entered into the Occurrence Book under OB number 98/08/06/2024.

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome on Wednesday vowed to find and punish those responsible, directing the Internal Affairs Unit and IPOA to investigate the incident.

“Let IPOA do a thorough job and reveal the facts. If officers broke the law, they will be held accountable,” Koome said, emphasizing that the tampering of CCTV evidence alone was damning.

What was portrayed as a routine arrest in the early hours of Sunday, June 7, spiraled into a tragic and shocking incident.