NAIROBI, Kenya — Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has formally apologized for disseminating an inaccurate report regarding the investigation into the controversial death of influencer Albert Ojwang’.
This apology comes after an earlier claim by IG Kanja this week that Ojwang’ died by suicide, allegedly by hitting his head against police cell walls.
These assertions sparked widespread public outcry, with many accusing the police of attempting to conceal the true circumstances of Ojwang’s death.
During Senate proceedings on Wednesday, IG Kanja initially remained tight-lipped in his responses, asserting he couldn’t issue any definitive statements until the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) completed its investigations.
He also vowed to initiate disciplinary action against the officers who provided him with the initial, erroneous report, stating that such procedures would adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
“If in the ongoing investigations by IPOA, we get to know the truth. The officers who issued the initial report will have to face disciplinary procedures,” IG Kanja stated. He further added, “From what we’ve heard here, we will proceed and take necessary measures against the officer who gave us the material on that day.”
However, senators present in the session took issue with Kanja’s stance, pointing out that IPOA had already dismissed the suicide theory following the release of Ojwang’s autopsy results. Cornered by the senators’ persistent questioning, IG Kanja reluctantly offered his apology for the initial report.
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“I tender my apology on behalf of the NPS because of that information,” IG Kanja said, which was met with applause from the Senators.
Throughout the Question and Answer session, IG Kanja largely deferred to IPOA for answers to critical questions. He emphasized that the independent body holds the key to uncovering the events that led to Ojwang’s death while in police custody at Central Police Station.
Senators had sought to know who interfered with CCTV footage on the day of the incident and why Ojwang was transferred from Homa Bay to be detained in Nairobi.
“IPOA is investigating the entire scene of the crime and will tell us what happened with the CCTV footage. If there’s anyone involved in that, punishment must be meted out to the officer,” IG Kanja affirmed.
