After what was interpreted by some as an apology and promise to stop abductions and torture in the country by President Ruto, we’re back like we never left.
Teacher and father of one, Albert Ojwang, is the latest victim of government brutality under the Kenya Kwanza regime.
Albert died while in police custody at Nairobi Central Police Station. Arrested in Homa Bay and driven all the way to Nairobi, police promptly announced that Albert committed suicide by banging his head on the wall.
Saitaboa ole Kanchory, like many Kenyans, wondered why Albert needed a wall hundreds of KMs away, to take his own life.
Ojwang was arrested over a social media post on X (formerly Twitter) allegedly “tarnishing DIG Eliud Lagat’s name”.
Police IG Kanja: The late Albert Ojwang was arrested for tarnishing DIG Eliud Lagat’s name pic.twitter.com/N98qiTN1Nt
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) June 9, 2025
Leaders and rights groups are calling for immediate investigations.
Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji did not mince his words. “We must undertake real police reforms. Any police arrest must be made known to the public through a media release. This is about transparency and protecting human rights,” he posted online, urging for the arrest of officers involved.
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris called for an independent and thorough investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). “Albert deserved the protection of the Constitution. We must uphold the rule of law, not bend it,” she said, adding that a post-mortem must be conducted in the presence of the family.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua just fell short of accusing DIG Lagat of orchestrating the murder. “The Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. Eliud Lagat is the complainant, and the one who ordered the arrest in the alleged ‘crime’ that Ojwang committed was making a fair comment on his social media account on Mr. Eliud Lagat. He must take full responsibility for this murder. ”
Albert Ojwang’s brutal murder in the hands of the police officers has revived the painful wounds of the tens of GenZs who continue to be killed by security agencies by the Ruto Administration.
In the strongest terms possible, I condemn this cowardly act by the killers and call… pic.twitter.com/e1mUJsxWqJ
— Rigathi Gachagua (@rigathi) June 9, 2025
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, a staunch defender of civil rights, questioned the official version of events. “Arrested in Migori, held at Central, and now dead? This is unacceptable,” he said, demanding accountability from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo described the incident as “disturbing” and called for action from multiple oversight bodies, including IPOA, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ).
Former Chief Justice David Maraga used the moment to caution against the erosion of constitutional protections. “These matters demand swift, just, and transparent handling by the authorities,” he stated.
The Death of Albert Ojwang’ and Arrest of Kelvin Mohinde
The tragic death of Albert Ojwang’ which occurred in police custody leaves us shaken, yet again, at what has become a constant wave of State-sponsored violence against young Kenyans.
Media reports indicate that he was… pic.twitter.com/IFV9nx5ldy
— David Maraga (@dkmaraga) June 8, 2025
A Family Left in Pain
Ojwang leaves behind a young family, including a two-month-old child. His sudden death has sparked fears among young Kenyans that their digital freedoms are under threat.
“No family should suffer such a loss under unclear and troubling circumstances,” said Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga. “Police brutality has no place in our society.”
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna recently revealed that ODM’s alliance with UDA was bound by an agreement that police brutality will come to an end. Despite this news, no ODM leader has dared to bring up that clause as they ‘mourn’ Albert.
In response to the growing backlash, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja suspended the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and senior officers at Nairobi Central Police Station to allow IPOA to investigate without interference.
Kanja assured the public of a “thorough, impartial, and expeditious” process.
IPOA’s mandate, already under strain from years of distrust, is once again facing a major test of credibility.
Rights watchdogs and civil society groups have warned that any attempt to whitewash the probe could further damage public confidence in Kenya’s justice system.
Meanwhile, social media platforms have become rallying points for activists demanding #JusticeForOjwang, with Kenyans urging swift reforms in how arrests are handled – especially those tied to digital activity.
