The Independent Policing Oversight Authority Chairperson Issack Hassan has recently apologized over his appearance alongside Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja during a press briefing on the death of Albert Ojwang.
According to Hassan, his appearance at the briefing was unplanned and happened by coincidence.
“IPOA investigators were there at the time, and I had actually gone there to see the cell [in which Albert Ojwang was locked in]. The IG is the one who asked me to join him in the press conference; it was a big mistake, it should not have happened, and we apologize for that. We should not have appeared in the press conference with them,” he stated.
Issack Hassan apologizes for briefing with the police boss. Photo: Courtesy.
His presence at the police-led press conference drew criticism, with many questioning the authority’s independence and impartiality in the matter.
However, Hassan was quick to make it clear that the authority will not be used as a cover-up in Ojwang’s murder.
Notably the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved murder charges against Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam and two officers following Ojwang’s death.
In a statement, the DPP also stated that officers James Mukhwana and Peter Kimani would face murder charges.
On the other hand, civilians John Ngige Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue will also be charged with murder.
Albert Ojwang died while in police custody at the Central Police Station hours after his arrest at his father’s house in Homa Bay County.
