The death of Albert Ojwang, a young Kenyan whose life was tragically cut short, has sparked widespread outrage and demands for accountability across the nation.
Senator Crystal Asige has emerged as a leading voice in the quest for truth, raising critical questions about the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death and the alleged involvement of senior police officials.
As public pressure mounts, calls for a transparent public inquest are gaining traction, with Kenyans demanding answers to who ordered Ojwang’s arrest and why false narratives were propagated to obscure the truth.
According to public sentiments, Ojwang was allegedly murdered while in police custody, with accusations pointing to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Lagat as the orchestrator of the arrest and subsequent cover-up because he was the sole complainant.
Though it is inconclusive without verified evidence, others claim that Ojwang reached the Central Police Station, either dead or almost dying, contrary to official statements from the National Police Service (NPS).
However, the majority allege that he was killed by officers acting on Lagat’s orders, with claims that inmates heard Ojwang screaming for help before his death after being taken to a lone cell.
The death is now bombarded with mixed and contradictory statements. IG Douglas Kanja and DCI boss Mohamed Amin claim that CA provided the real-time data that helped in the arrest of Albert Ojwang; however, CA has denied it in a statement, saying they do not have real-time data but only give a framework to ISPs.
Senator Asige has publicly challenged the NPS’s account, particularly questioning the source of the claim that Ojwang died after “banging his head on a wall”.
This narrative, attributed to police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, has been widely criticised as an attempt to conceal the true cause of death. A post-mortem report, cited in public discussions, has reportedly debunked the NPS’s explanation, intensifying suspicions of foul play.
Senator Asige has called for a public inquest, arguing that a transparent investigation broadcast live would expose inconsistencies in the accounts of senior officers and hold those responsible accountable.
Senator Boni Khalwale has further escalated the controversy, alleging that Nyaga was instructed to fabricate the NPS statement. Khalwale asserts that the individual who ordered this fabrication is the prime suspect in Ojwang’s death, pointing to a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
From the false NPS statement, IG Kanja apologised to the public over the previous statements, which were termed to be false narratives.
These claims have fuelled public distrust in the NPS, with many Kenyans taking to social media to demand justice using hashtags like #JusticeForAlbertOjwang.
The absence of CCTV footage or records confirming Ojwang’s presence at Central Police Station has further deepened suspicions of a cover-up. Now people are asking the IG why he interdicted the Central Police Station officers, leaving DCI officers who ferried the deceased from Homa Bay.
As the nation awaits answers, the call for a public inquest grows louder, with Kenyans insisting that only a transparent process can restore trust and deliver justice for Albert Ojwang.
