Albert Ojwang’s death in police custody sparks national outrage

“Stop Killing Us”

The death of 31-year-old Albert Omondi Ojwang while in police custody has ignited a firestorm of public outrage across Kenya, casting a harsh spotlight on a troubling pattern of extra-judicial killings and police brutality that continues to erode public trust in law enforcement.

Ojwang, a teacher and social media influencer from Homa Bay, was arrested last Friday over a post allegedly critical of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat. But instead of being booked at a local police station, he was reportedly transported over 350 kilometers to Nairobi, raising immediate questions about the motivations and procedures surrounding his arrest.

On Monday, police claimed Ojwang died after “hitting his head against a cell wall.” But photos and statements from the family’s lawyer, Julius Juma, tell a different story—of a man who endured “severe physical trauma,” including swelling around the head, bruises on his arms, and injuries inconsistent with a single impact. The Kenyan Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since launched a formal investigation.

From a Cell to a Coffin

Outside the Nairobi City Mortuary, chants of “Stop killing us!” pierced the air as demonstrators demanded justice. Activists, lawyers, and citizens marched to the Central Police Station—the last known location where Ojwang was held—calling for an end to the pattern of state-sanctioned violence and impunity.

“Albert’s death is very suspicious,” said Irungu Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya. “Why was he not booked at the local police station? Why transport him across the country for a social media post?”

The Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome Kanja, later announced that several officers at the Central Police Station had been interdicted—temporarily suspended with half pay—pending the IPOA’s investigation. He vowed to support the inquiry, but many Kenyans remain unconvinced.

A Disturbing Trend of State Repression

Ojwang’s death is not an isolated incident. Kenya has a long and painful history of extra-judicial killings—particularly targeting the youth, the poor, and vocal government critics. According to data from human rights watchdog Missing Voices, more than 1,300 people have been killed or disappeared in police custody since 2007.

Recent cases such as that of software developer Rose Njeri, who was charged last week under the cybercrime law for building a tool to help citizens resist the Finance Bill, further fuel the perception of a state increasingly intolerant of dissent.

Civil society is now demanding urgent police reforms, transparency, and accountability—not just in Ojwang’s case, but across the justice system.

#JusticeForAlbertOjwang

#JusticeForAlbertOjwang is no longer just a hashtag. It’s a rallying cry for a generation that has grown tired of watching citizens die at the hands of those meant to protect them. It’s a demand for a country where freedom of expression does not come with the risk of death. It’s a plea to be heard and to be safe.

As Kenya’s IPOA begins its investigation, many are watching—hoping that this time, justice will not only be promised, but delivered.