The death of Albert Ojwang, a Homa Bay teacher, alumnus of Pwani University and social media influencer, in police custody has ignited widespread controversy and calls for accountability.
Ojwang, known for his bold political commentary on X, was reportedly arrested on Saturday, June 7, in Migori while visiting family, over a social media post allegedly linked to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Langat.
By Sunday morning, he was pronounced dead at Nairobi’s Central Police Station, with police claiming he died by suicide after injuring himself in his cell.
According to close friends and family, Ojwang was arrested for a post deemed “derogatory” toward DIG Eliud Langat, a senior police official.
Reports indicate he was not booked into the occurrence book (OB) at Central Police Station, raising suspicions of foul play. The family alleged that inmates heard Ojwang screaming for help, contradicting the police narrative of suicide.
The National Police Service (NPS) stated that Ojwang was “lawfully arrested” and that an officer found him with “blood oozing from his head” during a routine cell check, filing the incident as a suicide.
Ojwang’s father, Meshack Opiyo, told journalists that his son was detained in Homa Bay and driven 350 kilometres to Nairobi, a move Amnesty International Kenya’s director, Irungu Houghton, described as “quite shocking” and “suspicious”.
The family was denied access to the cell where Ojwang allegedly died, further fuelling distrust. Civil society organisations and digital rights advocates are now demanding CCTV footage, a post-mortem report, and full transparency from the police.
Prominent lawyer Paul Muite condemned the incident on X, calling it an “extrajudicial execution” and dismissing the police’s suicide claim.
Social media sentiment reflects growing public anger, with some users labelling the incident a “killing” and pointing to a broader pattern of police misconduct under a “killer regime”. Others have directly questioned DIG Langat’s role, alleging he ordered the arrest.
The NPS has not issued further statements after saying he committed suicide, and DIG Eliud Langat has not publicly responded to the allegations.
The case has drawn comparisons to other controversial custodial deaths in Kenya, amplifying calls for justice and police reform. Investigations are ongoing, with activists vowing to pursue accountability for Ojwang’s death.
