Tensions erupted in Homa Bay County on Thursday as enraged protesters set Mawego Police Station ablaze, demanding justice for the late Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody. The demonstrators, many of them youth, stormed the station in a heated procession, carrying Ojwang’s coffin and chanting slogans that decried police brutality and impunity.
Ojwang was initially detained at Mawego Police Station in early June before being transferred to Central Police Station in Nairobi, where he later died under unclear circumstances. His death has sparked widespread outrage and led to growing calls for accountability from civil society and political leaders.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest began peacefully but quickly turned chaotic when some individuals breached the station’s gates and began pelting the buildings with stones. The situation escalated rapidly, with parts of the police station being set on fire. Furniture, documents, and other property within the station were destroyed in the blaze. Overwhelmed by the crowd, police officers on duty reportedly fled the scene for their safety.
The incident highlights the deep mistrust between law enforcement and the public, particularly in cases involving alleged police misconduct. Human rights organizations have expressed grave concern over the handling of Ojwang’s detention and the lack of transparency in the events leading to his death.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has confirmed that it has launched a full investigation into the matter. Several officers who were involved in Ojwang’s detention have already recorded statements as part of the inquiry. IPOA has assured the public that it will pursue the case impartially and ensure that those found culpable are held to account.
Leaders from the region, including Members of Parliament and county officials, have condemned the incident and urged for calm as investigations proceed. However, the public’s anger remains palpable, with many demanding swift justice and systemic reforms in the police service to prevent future tragedies.
Albert Ojwang’s death has become a symbol of the broader struggle against police abuse in Kenya, reigniting national conversations around accountability, justice, and reform in law enforcement institutions.
