The father of Albert Ojwang has opened up about the final hours he shared with his son before the young teacher was taken into police custody, where he later died under controversial circumstances.
Albert Ojwang, who worked as a teacher in Voi, had traveled to Migori to visit family when he was arrested. According to his father, Meshack Ojwang, the arrest took place shortly after the family had returned from the farm. The group had been tending to vegetables and were preparing to sit down for a meal.
Meshack recalled that his son had briefly left for Ringa to collect tree seedlings for planting. When he returned home, his mother welcomed the family with food. Albert chose to eat outside with other family members while his father remained inside the house.
As the family settled in for their meal, the tranquility was abruptly interrupted. Meshack recounted hearing motorcycles approaching the home. Expecting guests, he stepped outside to greet them. To his surprise, the riders were police officers.
The officers arrived on three motorcycles, coming through both the front and back entrances of the compound. Each bike carried two people. Upon arrival, the men identified themselves as police officers and named the various stations they were affiliated with.
Meshack was informed that the officers had come to arrest Albert due to a social media post he had made. The alleged offense involved a message that was deemed offensive by someone, and authorities claimed it violated certain social media conduct.
Caught off-guard and still eating with his family, Albert was forced to stop his meal midway. “My son and other family members were eating, he had to stop. He did not eat to his full. He did not eat,” Meshack recalled emotionally.
Following the arrest, Meshack was asked to accompany the officers to the police station. There, he found Albert being interrogated. He did not anticipate that these would be his final moments with his son.
Later, police reported that Albert died by suicide while in custody. Authorities claimed he was alone in a cell when he allegedly inflicted fatal head injuries on himself. He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to the police, Albert was found with serious head injuries believed to be self-inflicted. They stated that he did not die in the cell but at the hospital after what was described as an attempted suicide.
The circumstances surrounding his death have raised serious questions and prompted a wider investigation. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is expected to be involved in the inquiry to determine the facts surrounding Albert’s arrest and death.
His body has been moved to the mortuary, where an autopsy is set to be conducted. The family has been notified and is expected to travel to Nairobi to witness the post-mortem examination.
As investigations unfold, many are left grappling with grief and confusion. Albert Ojwang’s sudden death in police custody highlights growing concerns over how arrests related to online speech are handled and the broader issue of detainee safety. His family continues to seek answers and justice for a life cut short under disturbing and unclear circumstances.
