Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has called for an impartial and independent investigation into the tragic death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and father of two-month-old twins, who allegedly died in police custody under suspicious circumstances.
Ojwang was reportedly arrested in Homa Bay on Saturday over what authorities referred to as a “derogatory” post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). According to his family, he had travelled to the area to visit relatives when police officers picked him up. Shockingly, instead of being processed locally, Ojwang was transported over 400 kilometers to Nairobi’s Central Police Station.
Police later claimed that Ojwang died by suicide after injuring himself while alone in a holding cell. However, MP Babu Owino has raised serious questions regarding the circumstances surrounding his arrest and death. “What specific publication did Albert Ojwang make, and what criminal offence did it amount to?” he questioned, emphasizing the need for the Inspector General of Police to offer a comprehensive explanation to Kenyans.
Babu expressed concern about the manner of Ojwang’s transfer, asking why a man arrested in Homa Bay was not dealt with by local police and courts with full jurisdiction. He further challenged the official narrative, questioning the kind of self-inflicted injury that could lead to such a tragic end and whether there were any eyewitnesses in the cell at the time of Ojwang’s death.
The legislator stressed that no offence in Kenya is punishable by extrajudicial execution and warned against the misuse of state security apparatus. He called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to urgently investigate both the Homa Bay and Nairobi officers involved in the case.
“This is not just about Albert Ojwang. It is about the integrity of our justice system and the safety of every Kenyan,” Babu said, urging fellow leaders and citizens to demand justice.
As public outrage grows, Kenyans continue to ask whether the National Police Service serves as a protector or a threat to ordinary citizens. The call for transparency and justice is now louder than ever.
