Communications Authority denies sharing Albert Ojwang’s real-time location with police

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has dispelled claims that it shared the location of the late Albert Ojwang with police officers, which led to his arrest in Homa Bay County and eventual murder.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, hours, CA distanced itself from what it termed as “misleading claims on social media platforms,” maintaining that it does not have any “access to real-time location data of mobile subscribers.”

The authority clarified that its legal mandate is to regulate communication bodies such as broadcasting, cybersecurity, multimedia, telecommunications, electronic commerce, postal and courier services.

“We note with grave concern the misleading claims on social media platforms alleging that CA provided data on the whereabouts of the deceased to law enforcement. This position is factually erroneous. We categorically distance CA from any involvement whatsoever in this matter,” stated CA.

“CA is a regulator and does NOT have access to real-time location data of mobile subscribers. Further, the Authority does not initiate, direct, or participate in the operational use of data held by our licensees.”

The body pointed out that in case it is required to produce any data, law enforcement ought to seek court orders, and the request should be governed by relevant laws.

“Any request for data from law enforcement agencies is governed by strict legal provisions that include judicial oversight and is limited to instances where there is a valid court order or lawful request as per the law,” CA noted.

“The Authority operates under the Kenya Information and Communications Act. 1998 and is mandated to facilitate the development of the information and communications sectors, including broadcasting, cybersecurity, multimedia, telecommunications, electronic commerce, postal and courier services.”

The statement came hours after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja told the Senate that investigating officers acquired the details of Ojwang’s X account from CA.

While presenting the chronology of events before the House, IG Kanja said the police sought the details of an X account with the username @Pixelpioneer, which had allegedly published defamatory statements against Deputy IG Eliud Lagat.

He told Senators that investigators from DCI wrote to CA on June 4, requesting the details of the X account after they also wrote a letter to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), seeking to determine whether DIG Lagat was being investigated for fraud, as stated in the account.

“Similarly, a request was made to the Communications Authority of Kenya to provide registration details and preserve posts associated with the post handle Pixelpioneer,” Kanja said.

The IG went on to say that on June 4, 2025, the CA responded, confirming that the handle was active and had 13.4 thousand followers.

“CAK responded with registered details and relevant posts of the account. CA reports linked the posts directly to the identified suspects,” Kanja said.