The brutal murder of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody at Nairobi's Central Police Station ignited widespread outrage and protests across Kenya, with particular focus on Nairobi on Wednesday, June 18. Ojwang had been arrested for allegedly publishing a defamatory post on X (formerly Twitter) targeting Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police, Eliud Lagat. The protests, intended to demand justice for Ojwang and protest against police brutality, quickly escalated into ugly confrontations.

During the demonstrations in Nairobi city centre, peaceful protesters were met with armed goons, believed to have been contracted by the Nairobi county government to disrupt the gatherings. These goons, wielding crude weapons, clashed with demonstrators, leading to two motorbikes belonging to the attackers being set ablaze. Heavy contingents of police officers were deployed across the city, primarily to contain the unarmed protesters, while some opportunistic robbers took advantage of the chaos to carry out muggings and break into shops. A particularly grim incident involved the unprovoked shooting of Boniface Kariuki, a hawker selling face masks, by a police officer on Tom Mboya Street. Kariuki, shot in the head, was rushed to Bliss Medical Centre and then referred to Kenyatta National Hospital for surgery. The officer responsible for the shooting was subsequently arrested under the directive of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.

In the wake of these events, Ojwang's family, through their lawyer Julius Juma, has appealed for state protection, citing vulnerability and fears of interference with the ongoing investigation. Juma emphasized the need for transparency in the probe and urged that all evidence be protected and witnesses remain uninfluenced. The Independent Police Operations Authority (IPOA) is actively interviewing witnesses, and has arrested several suspects, including Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam. Disturbingly, Constable James Mukhwana, a former cell guard at Nairobi Central, alleged in his evidence to IPOA that OCS Talaam had ordered other prisoners to beat Ojwang upon his arrival, indicating a deeper conspiracy behind his torture and murder.

The family's spokesperson, Herman Ouko, has unequivocally stated that they will not proceed with Ojwang's burial until justice is fully served. Ouko downplayed the recent stepping aside of DIG Lagat, asserting that it was a symbolic gesture that did not satisfy their demand for accountability. The family awaits the completion of investigations and the revelation of all responsible parties, emphasizing that only concrete action will bring them closer to accepting burial plans.

The tragic incident has also fueled broader political demands. A group of prominent figures, including Oginga Kawino, Wafula Buke, Kiongo Maina, Oduor Ong'wen, Ngotho Kariuki, and James Maina, represented by lawyer Gitobu Imanyara, have called for Raila Odinga's ODM faction to withdraw its support from the President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza government. These former political detainees allege that the current administration has undermined constitutional governance and is reverting to authoritarian practices reminiscent of the Moi era. They contend that the Ruto administration's continued power is largely due to ODM's backing, and its withdrawal could empower Kenyans to seek alternative governance solutions, thereby creating a necessary situation for a new administration.

Amidst the calls for justice and political shifts, the government of Kenya has taken steps to support Albert Ojwang's family. The government has commenced building a two-bedroom permanent house for his parents in Homa Bay, honoring Ojwang's own unfinished aspiration to build them a home, for which he had already started buying bricks. This initiative, expected to be completed before his burial, was confirmed by Homa Bay county governor Gladys Wanga during her visit to the family. Additionally, President William Ruto donated KSh 2 million to the family, while Raila Odinga contributed KSh 1 million, showcasing a convergence of goodwill and support. Ojwang himself was also in the process of building a "simba," a semi-permanent house for his wife, Nevnine Onyango, and child, following Luo traditions. His widow, Nevnine, visited the unfinished structure, an emotional moment underscoring the personal loss alongside the public tragedy.