The unfolding investigation into the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody has taken a new turn, with striking contradictions emerging between testimonies given by top security officials before the Senate and newly surfaced CCTV footage from Mbagathi Hospital. These discrepancies are deepening public skepticism and intensifying calls for a thorough and transparent inquiry.
During recent Senate hearings on Ojwang's death, both the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Inspector General (IG) of Police presented accounts regarding the circumstances leading to the blogger's demise. While the specifics of their testimonies have not been fully detailed publicly, they reportedly maintained narratives that align with initial police statements or sought to explain the events leading to Ojwang's hospitalization and eventual death.
However, sources close to the investigation indicate that new CCTV footage retrieved from Mbagathi Hospital, where Albert Ojwang was reportedly taken after allegedly sustaining injuries in custody, presents a starkly different picture. The footage is said to contradict key aspects of the DCI's and IG's statements, particularly concerning Ojwang's physical state upon arrival at the hospital, the nature of his injuries, and the timeline of events.
While the exact contents of the Mbagathi Hospital footage have not been officially released, its emergence is seen as a critical development that could challenge the integrity of the official police narrative. Activists and human rights organizations, who have been vocal in demanding justice for Ojwang, are now citing this new evidence as further proof of a potential cover-up and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and legislative bodies.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is conducting its own investigation, is expected to meticulously analyze this new footage in conjunction with the independent autopsy results, which already contradicted the police's initial claim of Ojwang "hitting his head against a cell wall." The autopsy revealed severe head injuries, neck compression, and multiple soft tissue trauma consistent with assault.
This latest revelation adds another layer of complexity to an already highly charged case, intensifying pressure on the authorities to provide clear and consistent answers regarding how Albert Ojwang died while in the care of the police. The Senate is likely to demand further clarification from the DCI and IG in light of these new contradictions.