The fatal shooting of Albert Ojwang has provoked national outrage across Kenya. Like all incidents of police violence against civilians, this incident raises serious questions about police conduct and accountability. Ojwang, who had gone to visit his family in Kakoth, Homa Bay County, was picked up on June 7 under suspicious circumstances. His arrest is related to his management of an account on X (formerly Twitter) that posted updates on Colombian government activities and movements. Rights organizations and his mourning family have condemned the killing, arguing that he was singled out simply for participating in political opposition activities.
Less than a day after his arrest, Ojwang, after being taken away from police by officers on motorbikes, was dead. The police arrested and forcibly transported him over 350 kilometers from the local Mawego police station to the Central Police Station in Nairobi. There, according to media reports, he was beaten to death. His body was brought back to his home in Homa Bay for an overnight vigil. His family and community are still reeling from the loss.
Family Grieves and Demands Answers
Albert Ojwang’s mother, Eucabeth, shared her deep sadness after the death of her only child. “I have lost my son and do not know how we will cope without him,” she lamented. His family’s grief is obvious, made worse by the public’s judgment of their decisions and the circumstances that led to how he died.
His father, Opiyo, is calling on police to be held accountable. In particular, he singles out Deputy Inspector General Lagat, who lodged the complaint that resulted in Ojwang’s detention. “I want to know why they targeted my son when they could see how little we have,” Opiyo said, highlighting the family’s vulnerability. He stressed that the police understood they would not fight them back because they simply had no means to do so given their brutal realities.
Albert Ojwang was the first in his family to get a teaching job, a landmark achievement that gave hope to his family. Opiyo had left a strenuous job with the expectation that his son would help support them after completing his education. This horrific development has torn their dream and hurled them into pursuit of justice.
Allegations of Police Misconduct
Details of the circumstances surrounding Albert Ojwang’s death are scant and controversial but have sparked accusations of police violence. Rights groups and his family argue that he was actually murdered while protesting. They fear he fell prey, like so many before, to a system hell bent on snuffing out dissent.
Irungu Houghton, an advocate for human rights, stated, “Albert Ojwang’s killing in a police station comes after persistent repeated police denials that the normal chain of police command is not responsible for the 65 deaths and 90-plus enforced disappearances seen in 2024.” He raised critical questions about the accountability of those in charge: “Who are the officers abducting and killing those who criticize the state? Why has the government found it so difficult to trigger deep reforms to protect rather than stifle Kenyans’ constitutional freedoms?”
Mounting pressure from environmentalists, communities and activists led to the decision. Now, two police officers involved in the incident are charged with murder for allegedly firing the bullet that killed Ojwang. Many remain skeptical about the efficacy of these measures and whether they will lead to meaningful change within the police force.
Calls for Reform and Accountability
Michael Muchiri, an official police spokesperson, admitted these challenges in a statement this week, completely blaming his officers. “We accept and we acknowledge that within our ranks, we’ve gotten it wrong multiple times,” he stated. He argued very passionately that the misconduct of one officer should not taint the entire organization.
Even with this recognition, the momentum for major reforms is only getting stronger. Houghton articulated the need for immediate action: “To restore public confidence and trust, all officers implicated must be arrested. Investigations must be fair, thorough, and swift.” Amnesty International Kenya couldn’t be more in favor of this concept. They claim that without punishment for the use of excessive force by police, a culture of impunity has grown.
James Mukhwana, another police officer implicated in Aguero Ojwang’s case, shared some disturbing details about the culture of the police force that confirm this. “It is an order from the boss. You cannot decline an order from your superior,” he explained. This is an indication of a deeper problem, one in which orders can trump ethics and responsibility. Mukhwana further commented on Ojwang’s intended treatment: “Ojwang was not meant to be killed but to be disciplined as per instruction.”
Protests Erupt Over Police Violence
Albert Ojwang’s death under police violence has sparked raging demonstrations across Kenya. Using their collective strength, citizens are standing up and fighting back against rampant state violence while demanding justice for victims of police brutality. What we’ve learned by listening Demonstrators aren’t just demanding an end to systemic abuse, they’re asking for those in power to take their complaints seriously.
As public outcry continues to mount, most Kenyans see Ojwang’s death as a reflection of a widespread illness within law enforcement. What a society truly fights against is its own conscience. It wrestles with the tragic loss of lives due to those who have taken an oath to serve and protect our citizens.
