A police constable has disclosed that inmates who fatally assaulted Albert Ojwang at a Nairobi police station were paid Sh2,000 to “discipline” him, not to kill him.
In an affidavit filed with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on Friday, Police Constable James Mukhwana admitted he received Sh2,000 from a senior officer to facilitate the beating.
The money was allegedly used to buy alcohol for four remandees who assaulted Ojwang in a cell.
“This is the truth of what happened. Ojwang’ was not meant to be killed but to be disciplined as per instruction,” said Mukhwana in the statement recorded at IPOA on June 13.
Mukhwana said that after being briefed about the operation by his senior, he approached a long-time remandee inside the cells for the mission.
He also said his colleague was briefed on the assignment.
“I told my colleague there is Sh2000 given out kuna mahabusu anakuja boss anataka mmushughulikie kidogo yani discipline kidogo,” he stated.
“I told them he should look for people who could do the job.”
The colleague, according to Mukhwana, identified an inmate willing to mobilise a group to carry out the act, but they demanded alcohol first.
“After a brief minute, the lead remandee told me he had the people for the job. He handed me the Sh2,000 and told me the money should be used to buy the alcohol since they cannot do such work without being high,” he said.
Mukhwana said he took the money and went to the canteen to buy the drinks, which he handed over before the beating commenced.
The inmates were moved to a separate cell opposite the toilet, referred to as “the last cells,” where the attack on Ojwang took place around 9:30 pm to 10pm.
Mukhwana further claimed that his colleague facilitated the operation by taking over sentry duties at the cell block and calling the selected inmates into the holding area.
Mukhwana expressed regret over the outcome of the operation.
“I am sorry for the death of Ojwang’. May God help them to heal the loss. I know it is painful.”
by BOSCO MARITA
