NAIROBI — The death of Albert Ojwang’ in police custody has sent shockwaves across the country. Now, diplomatic analyst Ahmed Hashi is demanding accountability at the highest level.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV’s Daybreak show, Hashi called for the resignation of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, citing what he described as deafening silence from top government officials.
“The Minister of Internal Security should be out today to tell this country what happened. Or he should just vacate office and leave,” Hashi said firmly. “Because we do not know what’s going on in this country anymore.”
Ojwang’, a young man from Kakot in Homa Bay County, was arrested last Saturday by plainclothes officers. The reason? A post he allegedly made on social media platform X. He was quickly transported to Nairobi and held at the Central Police Station.
By Sunday, he was dead.
His father, Meshack Opiyo, said Albert had been enjoying lunch at home when officers arrived. “He had just come from the shamba. We were eating. Then they took him,” Opiyo told reporters through tears. “Now they’re telling me my son hit himself until he died.”
Police say Albert’s death is being treated as a suicide. A report filed at the station claims he was found with head injuries caused by hitting his head repeatedly against the wall.
But the family isn’t convinced.
“We expected due process. If there was a charge, let it be heard in court. Not death in custody,” said the family’s lawyer, speaking outside the station on Sunday.
The police say Ojwang’ was being held over “false publication” online. But many Kenyans are questioning whether that justifies what followed.
In response to the public outcry, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has suspended all officers who were on duty at the time. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has now been tasked with leading an impartial investigation.
A statement from the National Police Service said the suspension was necessary to ensure transparency.
Meanwhile, on social media, Kenyans are demanding justice under hashtags like #JusticeForAlbert and #StopPoliceBrutality. Critics have slammed the use of force and the secrecy surrounding the incident.
Rights groups are now calling for broader police reforms and greater oversight. “Albert’s death is not just tragic—it’s chilling,” one activist wrote online. “No one should die for a tweet.”
Still, the government remains largely quiet. Neither CS Murkomen nor any senior police spokesperson had publicly commented on the case as of Monday morning.
For now, Albert Ojwang’s family waits—grieving, angry, and demanding answers.
