The chilling revelations emerging from Kenya's Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) paint a grim picture of justice and safety within the nation's law enforcement system. In a startling disclosure, IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan revealed this Thursday that at least 20 people have died while held in police custody in the past four months alone. This alarming statistic serves as a devastating backdrop to the ongoing national outcry over the brutal murder of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, and the heartbreaking tragedy of a woman who suffered a miscarriage in custody in Nyandarua, both recent incidents that have profoundly shaken public trust. The undeniable, agonizing irony is now palpable: it is becoming evident that a common mwananchi might be safer being on the streets than they would ever be in the hands of the police.

The case of Albert Ojwang, who died last weekend under mysterious circumstances at Central Police Station in Nairobi, stands as a stark and horrifying testament to this crisis. IPOA’s preliminary findings have unequivocally debunked initial police claims that Ojwang succumbed to injuries sustained after he hit his head against a cell wall. Chairperson Hassan, appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Security, was resolute in his condemnation, stating, "The signal by the police Inspector-General was incredible; it was a very poor cover-up attempt to say that Ojwang had hit his head severally on the wall." The truth, as revealed by IPOA, is far more sinister: "The CCTV had been interfered with. The man was tortured and killed." This confirmation of CCTV tampering underscores a deliberate attempt to conceal the truth, further eroding public confidence.

IPOA's investigation into Ojwang's death is broad and unyielding. Despite lacking prosecutorial powers to make arrests directly, Hassan declared that all officers linked to the case are being treated as murder suspects. This includes the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) officers who arrested Ojwang in Kakot, Homa Bay County, on Saturday afternoon – reportedly over a derogatory social media post on X, with Kenya Police Service Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat named as the complainant – as well as those who subsequently drove him to Nairobi, detained him at Central Police Station, and handled his body. A total of 17 police officers and six witnesses have already been interviewed. Hassan vowed, "We are not going to be used as a fire extinguisher for police or enable this cover-up. We want the police to cooperate fully. Every officer involved in Ojwang’s arrest and detention is under investigation."

This disturbing pattern of deaths in custody is not an isolated phenomenon. The tragic case of the pregnant woman who suffered a miscarriage at Rwanyambo Police Patrol Base in Nyandarua, despite her desperate cries for medical help being ignored, further highlights a systemic disregard for human life and welfare within the confines of police detention. Both incidents underscore a profound institutional failure that demands immediate and comprehensive reform.

In a proactive move to ensure transparency and secure crucial evidence, IPOA has filed an application in court seeking to compel Safaricom Kenya Limited to release call records and related data linked to individuals suspected of involvement in Albert Ojwang’s death. Through investigator Abdirahman Jibril, IPOA is requesting court orders to access account opening details, registered subscriber information, call data records, and travel patterns associated with 17 specific mobile phone numbers. This request covers the critical period between June 4, 2025 (from 5:00 a.m.), and June 8, 2025 (up to 12:00 a.m.). IPOA also seeks a directive requiring Safaricom to appoint an authorized officer to issue a Certificate of Production of Electronic Evidence, crucial for validating digital records in court. Citing its statutory mandate to conduct impartial investigations, IPOA asserts that Safaricom holds "crucial information and documentation that will significantly aid in ensuring a comprehensive, impartial, and conclusive investigation into this incident."

These revelations are devastating. They betray the core tenet of law enforcement: to protect citizens. The irony is stark and painful: the very institution meant to guarantee safety is increasingly perceived as a place of peril, where individuals lose their lives under suspicious circumstances, and attempts are made to cover up the truth. This crisis of trust demands more than just investigations; it demands accountability, systemic overhaul, and a fundamental realignment of police priorities to truly protect the people they serve. The safety of Kenyan citizens must not be jeopardized by the very hands meant to ensure their security.