Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has publicly questioned the police account surrounding the death of Albert Ojwang, a popular X influencer who died while in police custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station.
In a heartfelt statement, Kioni expressed deep anguish after witnessing Albert’s father, Meshack Ojwang Opiyo, break down in tears at the police station where his son died. The scene of a grieving father left Kioni struggling to comprehend the tragedy and doubting the official narrative offered by the police.
Kioni criticized the police for deferring to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) as the spokesperson for the incident, pointing out that IPOA has its own communication channels. He questioned why the police were acting as a mouthpiece for the oversight body instead of addressing the matter transparently themselves. Kioni’s remarks conveyed frustration at what he sees as systemic rot within the country’s institutions, emphasizing that Albert’s death felt more like a murder than an accident.
Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga had stated that Albert was arrested on charges of false publication and that he sustained fatal injuries after reportedly banging his head against the cell wall. This explanation has raised widespread suspicion and disbelief, especially among Albert’s family and supporters.
Albert’s father expressed his shock at the police version of events. He recounted handing over a healthy son to police officers and being stunned to learn later that Albert had allegedly caused fatal head injuries to himself while in custody. “These statements do not make sense to me absolutely,” Meshack Ojwang said. “Even a mad person would stop banging their head against a wall after feeling pain.”
Adding to the sense of injustice is the fact that Albert had recently secured a teaching job and was a new father to a month-old baby, painting a picture of a young man with a promising future cut short under tragic circumstances.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, also voiced skepticism about the police’s account, questioning the plausibility of Albert inflicting fatal injuries on himself, especially when efforts were underway to raise bail money. Odhiambo pointed out that the police had denied the family access to the cell where Albert was allegedly injured. This refusal to allow the family to see the “crime scene” raised serious doubts about the integrity of the investigation and the narrative being presented.
“By the fact that the family are not allowed to see the crime scene, to us it raises questions: do they want to prepare the crime scene to suit the story they are telling us?” Odhiambo asked. She also noted that the police claimed the cell key had been taken by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), an unusual situation that further complicated transparency efforts.
The circumstances of Albert Ojwang’s death have stirred a wave of public outcry and demands for accountability. Many Kenyans are calling for a thorough and independent investigation to uncover the truth behind the mysterious and tragic death of the young influencer. The case has highlighted broader concerns about police conduct, custodial deaths, and the need for reforms within law enforcement agencies to ensure the protection of detainees’ rights.
Albert’s death is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals in police custody and has reignited debates about human rights and justice in Kenya. The family, political leaders, and civil society are united in their demand that those responsible for Albert’s death be held accountable, and that no stone be left unturned in the quest for justice.
As the investigation continues, there remains a heavy cloud of suspicion and grief over Albert Ojwang’s untimely death. The public awaits further clarity, hoping for answers that can bring some measure of peace to a grieving family and restore trust in the justice system.
