Protesters stormed Mawego Police Station in Rachuonyo East, Homa Bay County on Thursday, July 3, before setting it on fire while carrying the coffin of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody.
The enraged youth accused the police of involvement in Ojwang’s death and demanded immediate justice, turning the protest into a tense standoff with authorities.
Ojwang had been temporarily held at Mawego Police Station before being transferred to the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
In videos seen by The Kenya Times, the police station was fully engulfed in flames with thick smoke rising from the building completely consumed by fire. Properties were also vandalised.
Protesters Carrying Albert Ojwang’s Body Set Mawego Police Station on Fire
Prior to that, thousands of villagers were seen escorting the late Albert’s body to Mawego Police Station, before proceeding to Kokwanyo village in Kabondo Kasipul Constituency, where he is set to be buried tomorrow.
They could be seen in long queues, carrying twigs and leaves, with screams heard in the background.
By the time of publishing, the police were yet to issue an official statement.
Earlier, emotions ran high as late Albert Ojwang body arrived in Kisumu Airport.
This comes a day after his family held a requiem service on Wednesday, July 2, at Ridgeways Baptist Church in Nairobi.
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While paying his tribute, Albert’s father Meshack Ojwang said that his son’s blood was innocently spilled while those behind his demise remain unpunished.
“The innocent blood of Albert that was spilled by those in power so that they remain in power and hide their evil deeds should know that they will remain with respect and riches, but they will have no peace in their lives,” he said.
Ojwang’s Mother Recalls Son’s Last Moments
On her part, Eucabeth Adhiambo Ojwang’, the mother of Albert Omondi Ojwang, said the death of her only child at the Central Police Station in Nairobi has robbed her of all the hopes she had in life.
She vividly recalled how a group of police officers arrested her son on Sunday while the family was having lunch.
“They took my Albert just when I had prepared lunch for him. He had not even taken a bite of ugali before the police took him. When they came, Albert was trembling. I asked him what was wrong; he told me he had done nothing,” she said.
Eucabeth and other family members went to the station to seek more information about the arrest. A relative was later instructed to return home and bring a sweater for Albert, as he was being taken to the colder Nairobi climate.
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The six officers who arrested Albert reportedly boarded a vehicle with private registration plates at the police station.
“The police assured us that Albert was in safe hands and that no harm would come to him. That reassurance made us leave, comforted that our son was safe,” she said.
Ojwang’s Family Demand Justice as Police Face Murder Charges
Emotional Eucabeth questioned the manner in which her son was handled by the police, insisting that he did not deserve to die.
“My son should have been subjected to the criminal justice system. There is no crime he committed that warranted his death,” she added.
Ojwang was arrested in his home in Homa Bay after allegedly defaming Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat and later died while in police custody at the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, approved murder charges against Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam and five others in connection with the death Albert Ojwang.
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