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Albert Ojwang': NPS Transfers Police From Mawego Police Station After Arson Attack, Launches Probe

Published 14 hours ago3 minute read

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

The National Police Service (NPS) has launched an investigation into a dramatic arson attack that reduced Mawego Police Station in Homa Bay county to ashes.

Mawego Police Station
Police officers from Mawego Police Station watch their facility on fire. Photo: Cyprian Nyakundi.
Source: Facebook

The Thursday, July 3 incident came in the wake of public anger over the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang’.

The unrest unfolded during Ojwang’s funeral procession, when a crowd of mourners and youth intercepted the convoy transporting his body and diverted it toward the police post where he had initially been detained.

The group stormed the deserted station, overpowered its barricades, and set the buildings on fire.

By Friday, July 4 morning, what remained of Mawego Police Station was a grim scene.

Scorched walls, flattened unihuts, a torched vehicle, and ruined residential quarters, pointing to the fury that had boiled over less than 24 hours earlier.

The police officers previously stationed there had fled before the crowd arrived, avoiding direct confrontation but leaving the facility completely vulnerable.

In response, the NPS has confirmed that all officers who had been based at Mawego have now been redeployed to Kendu Bay Police Station.

According to Citizen TV, a senior officer said a review is underway to determine whether the Mawego community still wants a police presence at all.

The officer explained that if residents support reconstruction, it will likely happen, but at their own cost.

So far, the NPS has not issued a formal statement, but internal reviews and a probe into the arson attack have already begun.

The violence broke out after a build-up of public anger over the mysterious death of Ojwang’, who was arrested at his father’s home last month, held briefly at Mawego Police Station, then transferred to Nairobi.

He died while in custody at Central Police Station under circumstances that his family and the autopsy report point to torture.

Albert Ojwang'
Albert Ojwang' was first detained at Mawego Police Station before being transported to Nairobi, where he died. Photo: Albert Ojwang'.
Source: Twitter

At Ojwang’s funeral on Friday, local leaders, including Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, defended the community, rejecting media reports that linked area residents to the arson.

They insisted the incident had been mischaracterised and called for a thorough, unbiased investigation into both the arson and Ojwang’s death.

Earlier, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma claimed that the arson attack on Mawego Police Station during protests over the death of Ojwang on July 3 was carried out by hired “goons” brought in from Nairobi, not local youths or students from Mawego National Polytechnic.

He defended the community, arguing its residents had coexisted peacefully with police for years and had no reason to destroy the station

Video footage showed mourners carrying Ojwang’s coffin to the station, where officers fled before the building was set on fire.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

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