The news of Albert Ojwang’s death in police custody in Nairobi has sent shockwaves across Kenya, sparking widespread concern and calls for transparency. Ojwang, a young Kiswahili and Religious Studies teacher and social media influencer, was arrested over a post on the platform X, leading to a tragic series of events that culminated in his untimely death. This is what we know so far about the circumstances surrounding his passing and the ongoing quest for justice.
Albert Ojwang was apprehended by police officers in Kakot, Homa Bay County, on a Saturday afternoon. According to his father, Meshack Opiyo, Albert was having lunch with his family after returning from the farm when officers arrived. They informed the family that they were investigating a social media post Albert had allegedly made on X, specifically stating that he had "insulted a senior person" on the platform.
Following his arrest in Homa Bay, a considerable distance from the capital, Ojwang was reportedly taken to Mawego police station before being transferred by police to Nairobi later that same night. He was subsequently detained at the Central Police Station. His family, expecting his arraignment in court on Monday, arrived at the police station on Sunday morning to follow up on his case. It was then that they received the devastating news of his death.
Police presented a report on Sunday, filing the incident at the Central Police Station as a suicide. The official police statement claims that an officer, during a routine inspection of the cell where Albert was held, found him "with blood oozing from his head." The report further states that preliminary investigations suggested Albert, who was booked for "false publication," sustained these head injuries by "hitting his head severally against the wall inside the cell." He was then rushed to Mbagathi Hospital for treatment, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
However, Albert’s father, Meshack Opiyo, has openly expressed his doubts about the police's account, breaking down as he recounted the distressing details of his son's arrest and the subsequent communication from the authorities. A lawyer for the family echoed these sentiments, stating, "One does not deserve to lose their life; there is the law and we expected the boy to be processed normally and charged then if found guilty, punished according to the law." The family was informed that Albert’s body had been moved to the City Mortuary.
The circumstances surrounding Albert Ojwang’s death have drawn significant scrutiny and concern from human rights organizations. Amnesty International's Kenya branch has described the death as "very suspicious," asserting in a public statement that the passing of the young man, identified as a teacher and blogger, "raises serious questions that must be urgently, thoroughly, and independently investigated."
In response to the mounting public pressure and the gravity of the situation, Kenya's police chief, Douglas Kanja, announced the suspension of the head of the Central Police Station and all officers who were on duty at the time of Albert Ojwang's death. This suspension is intended to allow the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to conduct an "impartial investigation" into the matter. During a press conference, the police chief affirmed that the police would provide all "necessary support" to the investigators to resolve the case, also confirming that the arrest was prompted by a complaint from Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat regarding his name being tarnished.
Ahmed Isaack Hassan, the head of IPOA, who was also present at the press conference, has publicly committed to doing "everything to ensure justice is served for the family and for all Kenyans," urging officers not to interfere with the ongoing investigations. A post-mortem examination, crucial for establishing the precise cause and circumstances of death, was scheduled to be carried out on Monday.
The tragic death of Albert Ojwang serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of police accountability and the protection of citizens' rights, particularly in matters involving freedom of expression. As investigations unfold, the nation, and indeed the world, watches closely for a truly independent and transparent resolution to this deeply unsettling incident.
