Albert Ojwang, a resident of Kakot in Homa Bay County, died just hours after being arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over an alleged social media post on platform X. The incident began on Saturday afternoon when Ojwang was taken from his home by police officers. They later transferred him to Nairobi, where he was held at the Central Police Station.
According to his family, Ojwang’s sudden death was discovered when they went to the station the following day to follow up on his case. They were informed that he had died and that his body had been moved to the City Mortuary. A family lawyer expressed shock and disappointment, stating they had been waiting for his court appearance scheduled for Monday.
Ojwang’s father, Meshack Opiyo, shared an emotional account of the arrest. He said his son was taken from their home during lunch, shortly after returning from the farm. Police informed him at the time that Albert was being investigated for allegedly insulting a senior official on social media.
Upon reaching Nairobi, Mr. Opiyo was told by officers that Albert had sustained self-inflicted injuries while in custody. The police claimed he repeatedly hit his head against the cell wall and died from those injuries. A police report filed at Central Police Station documented the case as a suicide, stating that officers found Ojwang bleeding from the head and rushed him to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
However, the family is questioning the official narrative and calling for a thorough investigation. The National Police Service has confirmed that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched a formal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death.
As the investigation proceeds, Ojwang’s family and legal team are demanding accountability and transparency to determine what truly happened in police custody.
By Lucky Anyanje