By irene
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has demanded full transparency and accountability from Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja following the mysterious death of Albert Ojwang’ while in police custody.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo criticized the police leadership for failing to provide sufficient details surrounding Ojwang’s death, and for withholding the identities of officers allegedly involved. Ojwang’ was reportedly transferred from Homa Bay County to Nairobi before being booked at the Central Police Station, where he was later found critically injured in his cell.
IG Kanja has since interdicted several officers who were manning the station at the time, but has not made their identities public — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the legal fraternity.
“Why has he not named the particular officers who have been interdicted? What is the need of hiding? Let Kenyans know,” Odhiambo demanded. “We want to know who picked Ojwang’, are they part of those who were interdicted? And also we want to know the names of those interdicted.”
Odhiambo accused the police of shielding officers from accountability and treating the public to public relations tactics rather than genuine efforts to resolve the matter. She insisted that without full disclosure, the public would continue to view the situation with suspicion.
The LSK also strongly condemned the handling of Ojwang’ by security officers, saying the events leading to his death reflect a gross violation of his rights and a failure in police duty of care.
The call by LSK adds to growing public pressure on law enforcement authorities to come clean on the circumstances of Ojwang’s death and take meaningful steps to ensure justice is served.