Top security officials have arrived in Rachuonyo, Homa Bay County, in preparation for the burial of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger who died under controversial circumstances.
Ojwang lost his life on June 7 while in custody at the Nairobi Central Police Station after being arrested in Homa Bay.
The arrival of his body in his home village sparked serious unrest. On Thursday afternoon, angry mourners attacked and set fire to the Mawego Police Station.
The violence prompted top security leaders from the Nyanza region, including Regional Commissioner Florence Mworia and Regional Police Commander Gisiri Nyamohanga, to visit the area to assess the situation. Officials from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) also joined them during the visit.
Commissioner Mworia called for a thorough investigation into the incident that saw the police station vandalized and burned. According to reports, a large crowd of mourners forcefully redirected the hearse carrying Ojwang’s body toward the police station. They were later joined by a group of students from a nearby polytechnic.
The situation quickly escalated, with the crowd becoming uncontrollable. Police officers fired teargas to disperse them, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The crowd stormed the station, carried the casket through it, and then some remained behind to loot and destroy property.
They set fire to the office of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and the main report office, reducing them to ashes.
In addition to destroying property, some individuals stole the station’s flag posts, both the police and national flags, and even the signage. They fled the scene while teargas filled the air.
Police officers living in nearby staff quarters reported that their homes were also broken into and looted. However, police confirmed that no injuries were reported, and the station’s armoury remained secure.
Ojwang is scheduled to be laid to rest on July 4 at his family’s home in Homa Bay. As tensions remain high in the region, a large police presence has been deployed to prevent further unrest during the burial.
The death of Albert Ojwang has sparked national outrage. On June 16, Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat voluntarily stepped aside to allow for impartial investigations into the case.
In his statement, Lagat said he made the decision in good conscience to allow IPOA to carry out independent investigations without interference.
So far, six individuals have been charged with Ojwang’s murder. Among them are Central Police Station OCS Samson Talam and Police Constable James Mukhwana.
The others include Peter Kimani, John Ginge Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue. They are accused of jointly murdering Ojwang during the night of June 7–8, 2025, while he was held at the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
According to court proceedings, Talam was the OCS, Mukhwana was the daytime cell guard, and Kimani was responsible for the night shift. All the accused appeared before Lady Justice Diana Kavedza and pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) opposed the release of the suspects on bail, stating that there were strong and compelling reasons to keep them in custody.
The case continues to draw widespread attention as calls for justice grow louder across the country.
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