ODM party leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has condemned the police over the death of 31-year-old teacher and blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang’, who died while in police custody, describing it as a blow to the credibility and authority of the National Police Service and the state.
Speaking amid public outrage over the incident, Odinga said the brutality and lack of transparency surrounding Ojwang’s death had further deepened mistrust in law enforcement. “While these deaths cause tremendous pain to individuals and their families, they seriously erode the authority and credibility of the police and the state, and that is a significant step towards chaos and collapse,” he warned.
Pathologist Dr. Bernard Midia confirmed that Ojwang’ died from a combination of head injuries and neck compression, with additional signs of trauma scattered across his body. This contradicts the initial police claim that he hit his head on the wall and died en route to Mbagathi Hospital.
The Ojwang’ family lawyer, Julius Juma, revealed that the body showed visible swelling on the head, nose, and ears—pointing to possible physical assault.
Odinga demanded full accountability from the police and questioned the motives behind Ojwang’s arrest. “So far, nobody knows who gave the orders for Mr. Ojwang to be arrested and ferried all the way to Nairobi. That person must answer to Kenyans,” he said, adding, “A speedy and credible closure to this latest incident of injustice is not optional.”
He further expressed concern about a pattern of extrajudicial killings in recent years, saying Ojwang’ had now joined “the horrifying long list of young and defenseless Kenyans whose lives have been taken too soon, in brutal and senseless circumstances.”
In response to growing pressure, police spokesperson Michael Muchiri announced the immediate interdiction of six officers from Central Police Station, including Officer Commanding Station Samson Talaam, duty officer Samuel Ng’ang’a, Corporal Charles Muruki, and constables Debian Lusweti, Peter Kimani, and Evaline Kanyiri. The move, according to Muchiri, is to allow a “thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation” by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Odinga urged the National Police Service to take concrete steps toward justice and reform, cautioning that when citizens cannot differentiate between police injustice and mob injustice, the nation teeters on the edge of failure.
Written By Rodney Mbua
