Raila Breaks Silence on the Death of Albert Ojwang, Gives Tough Demands to Ruto

Opposition leader issues ultimatum from Bangkok as autopsy reveals crucial details in teacher’s custodial death

Bangkok, Thailand – June 10, 2025 – Raila Odinga, Kenya’s veteran opposition leader, has issued a powerful statement from Bangkok condemning the death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and social media influencer who died in police custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station on June 7, 2025, just one hour after being booked.

In a statement released by his secretariat, Odinga expressed deep horror over reports that Ojwang was arrested from his home in Homa Bay on Friday, June 6, transported 400 kilometers to Nairobi, and held in police cells over an alleged offensive social media post about a senior police officer.

According to police records, Ojwang was booked at Central Police Station at 2:35 a.m. as the 59th suspect under charges of false publication.

Odinga highlighted the troubling lack of clarity surrounding the orders for Ojwang’s arrest and transfer across the country.

“So far, nobody knows who gave the orders for Mr. Ojwang to be arrested and ferried all the way to Nairobi and yet that person should be answering to Kenyans,” he stated in his strongly-worded statement.

The former Prime Minister described Ojwang’s death as part of a disturbing pattern of young, defenseless Kenyans losing their lives to police brutality.

He warned that such incidents erode the authority and credibility of the police and the state, pushing the nation toward chaos and collapse.

“When citizens can no longer tell the difference between the two forms of injustice—police injustice and mob injustice—we are staring at the reality failure as a nation,” Odinga remarked, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

As Odinga issued his statement, a postmortem examination of Ojwang’s body was underway at the Nairobi Funeral Home (City Mortuary) on Tuesday, June 10.

The autopsy, initially scheduled for Monday, was delayed after government pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor stepped aside citing a conflict of interest due to his blood relation to the deceased, though he later confirmed he remains part of the examination team.

The delay was also caused by an incident on Monday when activists and family members stormed the mortuary’s body-holding area, allegedly “disturbing” Ojwang’s body as pathologists and police prepared for the autopsy.

Additional security personnel were deployed to the mortuary ahead of Tuesday’s examination to ensure the procedure could proceed smoothly.

Family lawyer Julius Juma emphasized the need for transparency, stating: “We want transparency. There must be no foul play.”

The autopsy is being conducted with independent pathologists and civil rights organizations present to ensure impartiality.

The death has prompted swift action from Kenya’s police leadership. Inspector General Douglas Kanja has ordered the interdiction of several officers at Nairobi’s Central Police Station following Ojwang’s death.

The move comes amid mounting pressure from politicians, human rights organizations, and the public for accountability.

According to police reports, Ojwang was found unconscious in his cell after being transferred from the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road where he had been interrogated. Police claim he sustained fatal injuries, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation.

Amnesty International Kenya has called the death “tragic” and emphasized that “no Kenyan should lose their life in police custody.”

The organization stressed that police officers have both legal and moral duties to ensure the safety and well-being of those in their custody.

Political Pressure Mounts

Opposition lawmakers, led by Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, have dismissed police claims about the circumstances of Ojwang’s death.

They are demanding the immediate arrest of officers involved in the case and calling for a thorough investigation.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has made explosive claims, alleging that “the person behind Albert Ojwang’s death is the same individual who ordered his arrest and transfer to Nairobi.”

In a post on his X account, Kaluma called for the arrest and prosecution of the unnamed individual to ensure justice for Ojwang and his family.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has also joined calls for a swift and comprehensive probe into the incident, which has shocked residents of the lakeside county where Ojwang was well-known as both an educator and social media personality.

Pattern of Police Brutality

Odinga’s statement comes against the backdrop of growing concern over custodial deaths in Kenya.

The veteran politician called for urgent action, demanding “a speedy and credible investigation into Ojwang’s death, alongside other unresolved cases of police injustice since 2023.”

He emphasized that the National Police Service must demonstrate genuine commitment to holding its members accountable, starting with this latest incident that has captured national attention.

The Victim

Albert Ojwang was described as a dedicated teacher from Voi and an active social media influencer who had built a following through his posts on various platforms.

His family spokesperson revealed that police had promised his father that he would be safe following his arrest—a promise that was tragically broken just days later.

The 31-year-old’s death has resonated particularly strongly in his home region of Homa Bay and among Kenya’s online community, where many young people have expressed fears about the safety of expressing opinions on social media.

Raila’s Tough Demands to Ruto Administration

Odinga’s statement from Bangkok carries particular weight as it directly challenges President William Ruto’s administration to take decisive action.

The veteran politician’s demands come at a time when the government faces mounting criticism over police conduct and human rights violations.

In his official statement, Odinga warned that such incidents push the nation toward chaos and collapse, stating: “When citizens can no longer tell the difference between the two forms of injustice—police injustice and mob injustice—we are staring at the reality failure as a nation.”

The opposition leader’s intervention from Bangkok, where he is currently based following his unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission chairpersonship, signals his continued involvement in Kenyan politics and his role as a key critic of the current administration’s handling of security matters.

IPOA Investigation and Transparency Measures

Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairperson Ahmed Hassan has pledged to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter, responding to intensified calls from Ojwang’s family and human rights organizations for accountability.

The involvement of multiple oversight bodies and the presence of independent pathologists during the autopsy reflects the high-stakes nature of the case and the demand for transparency from various stakeholders.

The case has highlighted questions about the extent to which Kenyan authorities should go in pursuing social media-related offenses, particularly when they involve transporting suspects across vast distances from their home regions to the capital for what amounts to alleged online commentary.

As investigations continue, the death of Albert Ojwang has become a rallying point for those calling for comprehensive police reforms and greater accountability in Kenya’s criminal justice system.

The outcome of the investigations and any subsequent prosecutions will be closely watched as a test of the government’s commitment to addressing police brutality and protecting citizens’ rights.

The family awaits justice while the nation grapples with yet another custodial death that has exposed deep-seated problems within Kenya’s law enforcement agencies.