Albert Ojwang, a teacher and social media influencer also known as Albert Omondi Ojwang, died in police custody in Nairobi on Sunday, June 8, just days after his arrest in Migori town on Saturday, June 7. His death has prompted an investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and sparked widespread public concern regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident and broader issues of online freedom in Kenya.

Ojwang, reportedly in his 30s and an educator from Voi, had travelled to Migori County to visit family when he was arrested. Authorities, including officers linked to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), alleged that his arrest was due to a “derogatory” or “false” social media post on X (formerly Twitter), which contained “inflammatory content.” The specifics of the post were not disclosed by police, citing an ongoing investigation. Ojwang's father, Meshack Opiyo, recounted that detectives told him his son had allegedly abused a senior police officer on X and accused the officer of being corrupt. After his arrest, Ojwang was transported over 300 kilometres to Nairobi and held at the Nairobi Central Police Station.

According to police accounts, Ojwang was found unresponsive in his cell on the morning of Sunday, June 8, with severe head injuries. Nairobi Central Police boss Stephen Okal stated that Ojwang died by suicide after injuring himself while alone in the cell. “He was rushed to the hospital after what we think was an attempted suicide. He had injured himself in the head and was rushed to the hospital, where he died. He did not die here in custody,” Okal said. Similarly, a statement from National Police Service (NPS) spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed Ojwang's lawful arrest for “false publication” and stated, “While in custody, the suspect sustained head injuries after hitting his head against the cell wall. Police officers on duty promptly noticed the injuries and rushed him to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.”

The family of Albert Ojwang, however, is seeking answers. Meshack Opiyo, who witnessed his son's arrest, expressed his grief and recounted the officers' claims. The family's lawyer stated they were expecting Ojwang to be arraigned in court on Monday, June 9, and expressed shock at his death, emphasizing that legal processes should have been followed. “One does not deserve to lose their life; there is the law, and we expected the boy to be processed normally and charged, then if found guilty, punished according to the law,” the lawyer said.

In response to the death, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an investigation into the incident, a standard procedure for deaths in police custody. The NPS has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding constitutional standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms. A post-mortem examination is scheduled to establish the exact cause of Ojwang's death, and his body has been moved to a mortuary.

The death of Albert Ojwang has ignited a significant public outcry, particularly on social media platforms like X, where users are questioning the police narrative and demanding accountability. Fellow influencer Cyprian Nyakundi, who raised an alarm over Ojwang’s arrest, stated, “He was a vocal but peaceful user of the platform. His death has shocked us.” The incident has brought to the forefront heightened concerns about online freedom, a perceived growing crackdown on content deemed critical of the government, and the issue of custodial fatalities in Kenya. Public commentary has included calls for justice and expressions of desensitization to such events, alongside questions about the circumstances of his death and the broader implications for civil liberties in the country.