The government and Homa Bay County have stepped in to support the family of the late Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and blogger whose death in police custody has ignited national anger and calls for justice.
President William Ruto has donated Sh2 million to Ojwang’s father, Meshack Ojwang, to facilitate burial arrangements and cater to other immediate family needs. The President extended his condolences in a phone call with the grieving father just days after Ojwang died under mysterious circumstances while in custody at Nairobi Central Police Station.
In addition, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga visited the family home in Kokwanyo and pledged to construct a two-bedroom house worth Sh1.5 million. She assured the family that the house would be completed within two and a half weeks—before Ojwang’s burial. Governor Wanga also announced that electricity would be connected to the home by June 17 and that a water point would be established to serve the family and neighboring community.
Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay and later transferred to Nairobi by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers, where he died in custody under unclear circumstances. His death has sparked protests and demands for accountability.
Authorities have since arrested three civilians, believed to be inmates at the Central Police Station, suspected of being involved in Ojwang’s death. Reports suggest they were allegedly recruited by police to assault Ojwang in custody as part of an information-extraction effort.
In a significant development, Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat has stepped aside pending investigations. In a statement issued on June 16, Lagat stated that he made the decision in “good and conscious thought” of his responsibilities, allowing investigations to proceed without interference.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja informed senators that the case began on June 4, when Lagat filed a complaint regarding social media posts accusing him of corruption. Investigations are being carried out under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, with assistance from the EACC and the Communications Authority of Kenya.
The nation now watches closely, demanding transparency and justice for the late Albert Ojwang.
