Two Coast lawmakers, Mishi Mboko (Likoni) and Amina Mnyazi (Malindi), have joined growing calls for justice following the death of Albert Ojwang’, who died in police custody under controversial circumstances. The MPs urged leaders across Kenya to break their silence and support civil society organizations demanding accountability.
“This is not a Homa Bay issue or a Nairobi issue; it is a Kenyan issue, a human issue,” the legislators stated. They emphasized that Ojwang’s death highlights systemic human rights violations and called for immediate action from investigative agencies.
Ojwang’ was arrested last Friday in Homa Bay over a social media post allegedly criticizing Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat. He was transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, where he later died. Police claim he took his own life, but inconsistencies in their accounts—coupled with the deletion of Ojwang’s social media profiles and restricted family access—have fueled public outrage.
Mboko and Mnyazi condemned the incident, stating, “The blood of Albert Ojwang’ cries out for accountability.” They praised civil society groups, including Amnesty Kenya, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and HAKI Africa, for standing with the bereaved family. The MPs also expressed solidarity with youth-led protests, calling them a vital reminder that “the fight for human rights is the fight for Kenya’s future.”
They demanded swift investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), warning that “justice delayed is justice denied.” Inspector General Douglas Kanja has since interdicted senior officers at Central Police Station, but skepticism remains over whether this will lead to meaningful accountability.
Ojwang’s death has reignited debates about police brutality and custodial rights in Kenya. Activists argue that his arrest over a social media post reflects growing repression of dissent. As public pressure mounts, the MPs’ statement amplifies demands for transparency, urging leaders to “not be complicit by keeping silent.”
The case has become a litmus test for Kenya’s commitment to human rights. With protests spreading and scrutiny intensifying, the government faces a critical moment to deliver justice or risk further eroding public trust in law enforcement.
