Albert Ojwang, a 28-year-old digital activist and Pwani University graduate, died in police custody on June 7, 2025, under controversial circumstances that have raised serious questions about police conduct in Kenya.
On that day, Albert was at his family home in Homa Bay, having lunch after picking up tree seedlings, when six plainclothes officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrived without an arrest warrant.
They immediately handcuffed him and took him to Mawego Police Station before transferring him to Central Police Station in Nairobi. His alleged offense was a false post on social media, something that would normally not justify such a dramatic and forceful arrest.
After arriving in Nairobi, Albert managed to make one call to his father, Meshack Opiyo, letting him know where he was being held. Meshack, desperate to help his son, prepared to travel overnight to Nairobi.
He carried with him the family’s title deed, planning to use it as surety for bail. He even informed a lawyer about his plan. But upon arriving at Central Police Station the next morning, he received the heartbreaking news that his son had died.
The police claimed Albert died from head injuries after hitting his head against a wall in the cell. But Meshack, who described his son as non-violent and mentally stable, strongly questioned this explanation.
He wondered why Albert had to be treated like a dangerous criminal for a simple online post, especially when no official arrest warrant had been shown during the arrest.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has since launched an investigation into Albert’s death. But for his father Meshack, the pain is already too deep. He saw visible trauma on his son’s body, which only made him more doubtful of the police narrative. The case has reminded many Kenyans of other suspicious deaths in custody, including that of Denis Kiprotich in Nakuru, who also died behind bars under unclear conditions. These incidents show a pattern of abuse and negligence that continues to go unchecked.Albert Ojwang leaves behind a wife, a young child, and grieving parents who say he was a responsible and caring person. He kept important family documents and had just started building his life. His story is not just about one man, but about the many victims of a broken justice system. It is a call to all Kenyans to demand answers, reforms, and respect for human life.
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