Justice for Albert Ojwang: Unmasking the Brutal Truth Behind His Death in Police Custody
Photo:The late Albert Ojwang
The nation of Kenya has been rocked to its core in the past 48 hours by the horrifying revelations surrounding the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang, a young teacher and vocal activist from Homa Bay. What started as a report of a tragic death in police custody has now spiraled into a national scandal, exposing deep cracks in Kenya’s law enforcement system.
🔴 Who Was Albert Ojwang?
Albert Ojwang, in his early 30s, was a respected teacher, active blogger, and rising voice for accountability on social media. Known for his outspoken criticism of corruption and police misconduct, Albert had recently targeted Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat, accusing him of abuse of office through his posts on X (formerly Twitter).
This activism, many now believe, cost him his life.
🚨 The Arrest and Mysterious Custody Death
On June 6, 2025, Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay by officers from Nairobi Central Police Station. He was accused of cyber defamation, but instead of being processed locally or granted bail, he was secretly transported over 300 kilometers to Nairobi.
According to the police’s original account, Albert allegedly “hit his head on a wall” in his cell and died shortly after.
But this version of events quickly unraveled.
🧪 Autopsy Report Reveals Brutal Truth
A postmortem conducted by Dr. Bernard Midia on June 8 painted a grim and contradictory picture. Albert had:
- Deep head injuries inconsistent with a simple fall,
- Soft tissue trauma across his body,
- Signs of neck compression, pointing toward possible strangulation or restraint.
This was no accident. The medical report strongly indicated that Albert had been tortured.
💥 Shocking Revelation: Torture in Karura Forest
The most damning turn came from new investigative reports and whistleblower accounts, which revealed that Albert was forcibly taken from his cell in the dead of night—between 9:35 PM and 1:30 AM—and driven to Karura Forest, a secluded area on the outskirts of Nairobi.
There, he was:
- Brutally assaulted, according to eyewitness and insider testimonies,
- Beaten unconscious, and then returned to the police station in a critical condition,
- Denied timely medical help until it was too late.
Witnesses have come forward alleging that CCTV footage at the Central Police Station was deliberately tampered with—a clear sign of a potential cover-up by officers involved in the operation.
🗣️ Public Outcry and Political Reactions
As the truth came to light, protests erupted in Nairobi and across the country. Outraged citizens demanded:
- The immediate arrest and prosecution of the officers involved,
- Full transparency from the government,
- An end to extrajudicial killings and police brutality.
President William Ruto, initially silent, has now acknowledged that Albert died “at the hands of the police” and called for justice. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has identified six officers, with one already facing murder charges.
🧭 Why This Case Matters
Albert Ojwang’s death is not just a tragic loss—it’s a mirror reflecting a systemic rot within Kenya’s security sector. The fact that a civilian could be abducted, tortured in a national forest, and returned to a cell to die is both terrifying and unacceptable.
Key issues raised by the case:
- Weaponization of defamation laws against critics,
- Lack of transparency in custody procedures,
- Use of remote sites like Karura Forest for torture,
- Collusion and cover-ups through CCTV manipulation and silence from senior officers.
✊ The Fight for Justice Continues
Civil society groups, legal advocates, and citizens are now rallying around the call: #JusticeForAlbertOjwang. The online movement has grown exponentially, demanding:
- Independent forensic investigation,
- Immediate suspension of implicated officers,
- A full audit of cases involving deaths in custody.
Albert’s family, devastated but determined, has vowed to fight until those responsible are held accountable.
📢 Final Thoughts
Albert Ojwang’s story is no longer just a headline. It is now a symbol of resistance against a system that has silenced far too many. His death must not fade into another file gathering dust.
As more details emerge and investigations continue, the Kenyan people—and the world—watch closely.
Let this be the case that changes everything.
🔁 Share this story.
🕯️ Say his name.
✊ Demand justice.
#JusticeForAlbertOjwang
#StopPoliceBrutality
#KaruraTortureTruth
Sources: IPOA reports, eyewitness accounts, autopsy statements, and independent media investigations (TUKO, Nation, Citizen TV, The Standard, Maisha TV).
Updated: June 12, 2025
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