Tensions flared in Mawego village after a mob torched Mawego Police Station on July 3, prompting the arrest of at least seven individuals who are now facing possible charges related to the incident.
The attack occurred as the body of teacher Albert Ojwang arrived in the village for burial preparations. Ojwang had been detained briefly at Mawego Police Station before being transferred to Nairobi, where he later died under mysterious circumstances while held at the Central Police Station.
Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay over alleged false publication and died in custody on the night of June 7–8, 2025. His body was returned to his home village and laid to rest on July 4, sparking widespread anger among locals.
According to police reports, mourners commandeered the hearse carrying Ojwang’s body to Mawego Police Station in a dramatic protest. They were later joined by students from a local polytechnic, and the crowd soon turned unruly. Police attempts to disperse the group using teargas failed.
Protesters stormed the station, carrying Ojwang’s casket through the premises as others looted and vandalized property. Offices, including that of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), were set ablaze. The police and national flags, flag posts, and the station signage were also stolen. Though nearby officers reported looting of their homes, no injuries occurred, and the station’s armoury remained secure.
On July 6, police arrested seven suspects linked to the arson. They were arraigned at the Oyugis Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court on July 8, where authorities sought 21 days to hold them pending investigations. However, the court granted seven days, and the suspects were remanded at Kendu Bay Police Station.
Meanwhile, six individuals, including Central Police OCS Samson Talam and Police Constable James Mukhwana, have been charged with Ojwang’s murder. They, alongside four others, are accused of jointly killing the teacher while in custody.
The incident has spotlighted police brutality and custodial deaths in Kenya, reigniting calls for justice and accountability within the security services. Investigations into both the murder and the station attack are ongoing.
