Thousands of youths stormed and set fire to the Mawego Police Post in Rachuonyo East, Homa Bay County, on Thursday, in protest over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang’.
The demonstrators, carrying Ojwang’s coffin, aimed to demand justice as they prepared for his burial scheduled for Friday.
Initially, Ojwang’s body was to be viewed at Nyawango Primary School. However, the program was disrupted when the youths intercepted the convoy approximately one kilometer from his rural home in Kokwanyo village.
The protesters insisted that the body be taken to Mawego Police Station, where Ojwang’ was first detained after his arrest last month.
Ojwang’s father pleaded with the youth to allow the body to proceed to the burial site, but his appeal was ignored.
A tense three-hour standoff ensued, during which the youths forcefully removed the coffin from the hearse and marched to Mawego Police Station.
Upon arrival, they tore down barricades and set the police post ablaze in a fierce demonstration against police brutality. By the time the youths attacked, police officers had already vacated the station.
Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilen condemned the violence, confirming that the police station and the officer-in-charge’s office had been destroyed. He called for peace and urged calm among residents.
Ojwang’ was arrested at his father’s home last month and transferred to Nairobi, where he died at Central Police Station while in custody. His death has intensified concerns over police brutality. The incident underscores mounting public anger and calls for police reforms amid ongoing unrest.
