A somber mood engulfed Ridgeways Baptist Church along Kiambu Road in Nairobi on Tuesday morning as mourners gathered for the requiem mass of the late Albert Ojwang, the 31-year-old teacher and outspoken blogger who died in police custody. The service, which began at 10:00 am, drew family members, friends, activists, and members of the public, all united in grief and a collective demand for justice.
Tearful relatives embraced outside the church, visibly heartbroken as they awaited the start of the service. Ojwang’s body had earlier arrived at the church amid tight security and a palpable sense of mourning. His father, overwhelmed by emotion, described his son as his only child and called the death a “heartbreaking moment” for the family.
Ojwang was arrested on June 7 in Nairobi over an alleged defamatory post on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He died while in police custody under controversial circumstances. Authorities initially claimed that he had injured himself in a police cell, but a post-mortem later revealed signs of blunt-force trauma and physical assault.
His death triggered nationwide protests on June 9 and in the days that followed, with citizens, human rights organizations, and political leaders decrying police brutality and demanding accountability. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions are currently investigating the case. Several police officers suspected to have been involved in Ojwang’s death have since been arrested.
President William Ruto condemned the incident, calling it “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” and promised an independent and comprehensive investigation.
Ojwang’s body will be transported to Homa Bay County on Wednesday, July 3, and laid to rest at his father’s home in Kakwonyo Village, Siaya County, on Friday, July 4.
His death has emerged as a powerful symbol in Kenya’s struggle against extrajudicial killings and custodial abuse. As mourners continue to demand justice, many view Ojwang’s case as a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for police reform and accountability in the country.
