Eucabeth Adhiambo Ojwang, the mother of the late Albert Ojwang, has emotionally recalled the last moments she spent with her son before he was arrested by police officers in Homa Bay County on June 7.
Speaking during his requiem service held on Wednesday, July 2, at Ridgeways Baptist Church, a visibly heartbroken Eucabeth narrated how the police stormed their home at a time when Albert was just about to eat a meal she had lovingly prepared for him.
She described the terrifying moment the officers arrived, saying her son began trembling with fear. When she asked him what was going on and why the police had come for him, Albert insisted that he had done nothing wrong.
“They took my Albert when he hadn’t even touched the food I had served him. I had just cooked lunch for him.
He hadn’t even had a bite of ugali,” Eucabeth shared with deep sorrow. “When the officers came in, Albert started shaking. I asked him what was wrong, and he told me, ‘Mum, I haven’t done anything.’”
Eucabeth criticized the manner in which the officers handled the arrest, expressing that they should have taken time to find out more about Albert’s personal life before taking him away.
“They should have at least asked whether he had any dependents before arresting him. Why did they take my Albert away like that?” she questioned, tears in her voice.
Eucabeth also described her son as a kind and peaceful man who had no problems with anyone. She firmly believes that Albert did not deserve what happened to him.
Albert Ojwang had been arrested over claims of publishing false and defamatory information concerning Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat.
The National Police Service (NPS) later confirmed that Lagat, who has since stepped aside from his position, filed an official complaint about social media posts made by Ojwang, claiming they were damaging to his name.
Following the complaint, men believed to be from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) tracked down Ojwang and apprehended him. He was then transported from Homa Bay to Nairobi, where he was held at the Central Police Station.
It was at Central Police Station that Ojwang tragically lost his life under mysterious circumstances on Sunday, June 8. His sudden death in custody raised alarm and sparked widespread public outrage across the country.
Investigations into his death pointed toward both police officers and fellow remandees in the cell as the main suspects in what appeared to be a planned murder.
One of the officers, Police Constable James Mukwana, became the first to be arrested in relation to the case.
On Monday, June 16, Mukwana provided a shocking and detailed account of what allegedly happened. In his statement, he revealed that his superior, Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam, had summoned him to his office on June 7 and informed him that orders had come from DIG Lagat.
According to Mukwana’s testimony, he was told that a suspect would be brought to the station around 8pm and that this individual was to be “dealt with” as per instructions from higher authorities. That suspect turned out to be Ojwang.
After his arrival at the station, Albert was booked and placed in the cells. It is within those cells that he was reportedly subjected to severe torture by other remandees, leading to his death. Police officers later attempted to rush him to Mbagathi Hospital, but sadly, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The news of Ojwang’s mysterious death while in custody triggered protests and outrage across the country. Many Kenyans took to the streets, demanding justice and answers.
The Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched a formal investigation, and the case is currently ongoing in court.
Ojwang is scheduled to be laid to rest on Friday, July 4, in his home county of Homa Bay. He leaves behind a grieving wife and a young son.
He was also a pillar of support to several members of his extended and nuclear family, who depended on him for various needs.
The pain of his loss continues to be deeply felt by those who loved him, especially his mother, who now remembers her son through tears and unanswered questions about the tragic end he met.
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