The tragic death of Albert Ojwang, a dedicated teacher and blogger, while in police custody on June 8, sparked widespread outrage across Kenya, culminating in dramatic and fiery scenes during his final journey. Ojwang, who taught History and CRE in Mwatate, Voi, was arrested by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers while dining with his family and subsequently transferred to Nairobi Central Police Station. Authorities initially claimed he died after hitting his head against a cell wall, a narrative vehemently contradicted by a post-mortem report. The autopsy revealed Ojwang succumbed to blunt force trauma to the head and bore injuries consistent with torture, shifting the focus to allegations of police brutality.

As pressure mounted, Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, who had filed the initial complaint against Ojwang for allegedly publishing false information, stepped aside to allow investigations. The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Nairobi Central Police Station and other officers were later arrested and faced murder charges in connection with Ojwang’s death, intensifying public demand for justice.

Ojwang’s funeral procession, which commenced on Thursday, July 3, after his body arrived at Kisumu International Airport and was transported to his home in Homa Bay county, became a powerful demonstration of public anger. Thousands of youths, primarily college students, intercepted the convoy. They passionately demanded that Ojwang’s body be first taken to Mawego Police Station, where he was initially detained. In a harrowing act of protest against police brutality, mourners then set the police station ablaze, forcing officers to flee helplessly. A video showed a police Land Cruiser, attempting to escort the body, being aggressively chased away by the furious crowd, who screamed, “Go away!” and declared they did not want any officers present. Many Kenyans online supported these actions, expressing sentiments like “The police failed to protect Albert when he was alive, but today they are here to protect his corpse.”

Amidst the chaos and grief, Albert Ojwang’s father, Mzee Meshack Opiyo, experienced profound sorrow. A viral video captured him inside the hearse, pleading with the protesters not to take his son's body to the station. He expressed immense exhaustion, noting that the long journey had left his family, including Ojwang’s widow, Nevnina, distressed and without rest or food. Mzee Opiyo painfully questioned whether the protesters wished him to bury two people, emphasizing that his priority was to see his son’s body viewed and to leave all else to God. Despite his pleas, the youths proceeded with their protest, carrying the coffin to the station before peacefully bringing it to the family home.

At the family compound in Kakwonyo, Kabondo Kasipul, the atmosphere shifted to a poignant mix of traditional celebration and deep mourning. Mourners gathered in large numbers for a