HOMABAY, Kenya-Emotions erupted in Mawego village, Homa Bay County, on Thursday afternoon when mourners accompanying the body of slain blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang marched toward the local police Station—and in their anger set it ablaze.
Ojwang, 31, was arrested in Homa Bay on June 6 for allegedly defaming Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat via a post on social media.
He was initially detained at Mawego Station before being transferred approximately 350 km to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, where he died in custody two days later under murky circumstances.
Police claimed Ojwang died after banging his head against a cell wall during a suicidal episode, and was pronounced dead on arrival at Mbagathi Hospital.
Transport disrupted on Kisumu–Kakamega Highway after youth set bonfires to block opposition entryVideo: Allan Ochanda
However, an official autopsy—cited by multiple outlets—revealed severe head injuries, neck compression, and soft tissue trauma consistent with assault, not self-harm.
This led President William Ruto to condemn his death as “heartbreaking and unacceptable” and acknowledge it occurred “at the hands of the police.”
Grief erupted first in Homa Bay, where residents marched demanding swift justice.
Protesters claimed police altered their version of events and accused IPOA (the Independent Policing Oversight Authority) of delays.
Demonstrations soon spread to Nairobi, where activists marched to the Central Police Station chanting, “Where is justice for Albert?”.
Police responded with tear gas and water cannon; two vehicles were torched en route to Parliament during a protest on June 12.
Six individuals—including three police officers and a CCTV technician—were officially charged in connection to Ojwang’s death.
One officer reportedly testified under oath that he had been instructed “from above” to rough up Ojwang when he arrived at the station.
. Deputy IG Lagat, whose defamation complaint triggered Ojwang’s arrest, temporarily stepped aside from duties amid mounting pressure.
On Thursday, as Ojwang’s body was conveyed home in Mawego en route to a Friday burial, the procession turned violent.
Mourners stormed Mawego Police Station, chanting “Justice for Ojwang” and accusing the station of participating in his unjust detention and fatal transfer .
They set the building ablaze; law enforcement from Kendu Bay later intervened to restore order .
As of evening there had been no official statement from police or the Interior Ministry.
Human rights organizations—including Amnesty International Kenya—have warned this may be another example of extrajudicial actions and impunity in Kenya’s security services.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen stirred further controversy by advising security forces to “shoot on kill” anyone approaching police stations during violent protests following finance-bill unrest in 2024.
As Ojwang’s family prepares to bury him on Friday, the inquest into his death continues through IPOA, with legal proceedings set for the six suspects. Still, distrust runs deep:
“We know there were more injuries. They have decided to sacrifice junior officers,” said Hussein Khalid of Haki Africa.
Observers say Thursday’s blaze at Mawego Station is a vivid symbol of that public distrust—and the unyielding pressure for accountability.
