Mourners storm Mawego Police Station in Homa Bay county, setting it on fire while carrying the coffin
of the late Albert Owino Ojwang .The police station was used to temporarily detain Ojwang before he
was taken to Central Police Station in Nairobi, where he was killed while in custody.As the family ferried
the body , angry mourners forcefully removed Ojwang’s coffin from the limousine that was carrying him
and marched to the police station.Albert’s father pleaded with the youths to refrain from moving the
body, but his plea fell on deaf ears.
At the time of the incident, there were no police officers in sight as six police officers who were at the
station fled as the huge mob approached. After protesting, they set buildings on fire before proceeding
to Ojwang’s home.Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilen condemned the action by
the youths, confirming that the OCS office had also been torched.
Ojwang was arrested at his father’s home on June 8th and taken to Mawego Police Station before being
transferred to Nairobi, where he died at the Central Police Station while in police custody. His murder
highlighted the growing concerns over police brutality across the country, amid a return of abduction
cases in recent weeks. His death saw three police officers, including OCS Central Police Station, and
three other suspects charged amid calls for the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud
Lagat whose complaint warranted his arrest.
Initially, the Ojwang family declined to commit to a burial date, stating publicly that they would not
bury their son until justice had been served. His father, Meshack Opiyo, emphasized that the pain of
losing his son was made worse by the impunity surrounding the case, and he insisted that his son would
not be laid to rest while his killers roamed free. This stance resonated with many Kenyans, turning
Ojwang’s name into a symbol of resistance against police abuse.
However, after weeks of consultations, pressure from supporters, and gradual progress in the investigations, the family announced a revised decision to proceed with the burial. According to the family spokesperson, the body will leave Nairobi on Thursday, July 3, and will be received at the family home for final rites before being interred on Friday.
Prior to that, a requiem mass was held at Ridgeways Baptist Church in Nairobi on Wednesday, July 2. The service attracted hundreds of mourners, including fellow teachers, human rights defenders, politicians, and members of civil society who have been closely following the case. Organizers say the event will not only honor Ojwang’s life and legacy but also serve as a rallying call to demand justice for all victims of extrajudicial killings.
Reports emerged earlier this week indicating that about KSh 500,000 may have been withdrawn from the fundraising account without proper authorization, prompting the family to seek clarification and accountability from the burial team.
In the meantime, investigations into Ojwang’s death continue. Six police officers, including the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Central Police Station, Samson Talaam, have been arraigned in court and charged with murder. The case is being handled by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in conjunction with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority(IPOA), which has been gathering witness statements and forensic evidence. The accused officers have pleaded not guilty and are currently out on bond as the trial proceeds.
The outrage surrounding Ojwang’s death has led to renewed calls for comprehensive police reforms in Kenya. Human rights groups argue that the case is just one of many involving brutality and custodial deaths, and they have demanded institutional accountability, stronger oversight mechanisms, and the speedy prosecution of rogue officers. Civil society organizations plan to attend the burial in solidarity, and some are organizing peaceful vigils in other parts of the country.
For the family and those who knew Albert Ojwang, Friday’s burial will mark the end of a life tragically cut short, but also the beginning of a larger movement to ensure his death was not in vain. “We are burying our son, but his voice will continue to speak,” said his father during a recent press briefing. “He fought for the truth. Let the truth now fight for him.”
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