NAIROBI – Governor Johnson Sakaja has pledged to support the young family of Albert Ojwang, a blogger who died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody.
On Wednesday, Sakaja met Ojwang’s family at City Hall. Present were his parents, his widow, and their two-year-old son, George.
“I’ve known Albert personally for years,” Sakaja said during the meeting. “He worked closely with my team and helped us reach the public through social media. We will not abandon his family.”
The Governor pledged to pay for the burial and fund the boy’s education. He also promised to clear the widow’s remaining college fees. She is currently studying for a diploma in community health.
“George is too young to understand what’s happened,” Sakaja said. “But we’ll make sure he grows up knowing his future is secure.”
Once the widow finishes her final semester, the county will offer her a job. The Governor also plans to mobilise friends and partners to buy a small plot in Homa Bay, where the family can build rental units for steady income.
“We want to give Albert’s family dignity,” he added. “This country must stop treating lives so cheaply.”
Ojwang had reportedly been detained over a social media post labelled as “false publication.” Police claimed he had hit his head against a wall multiple times. But the postmortem findings have cast serious doubt on that explanation.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has since called for an independent investigation. Human rights groups are demanding accountability and transparency.
“We can’t keep losing people in police cells with no answers,” said Boniface Mwangi, a prominent activist. “Albert had a family. He had dreams. He deserved justice.”
No officers have been suspended or charged in connection with Ojwang’s death as of Wednesday.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has confirmed it is looking into the case.
