The death of Albert Omondi Ojwang, a 31-year-old X influencer and teacher, while in police custody at Nairobi's Central Police Station on Sunday, June 8, 2025, has ignited widespread public outrage and intense scrutiny of police conduct. Ojwang, a father to a young child and the only son of Meshack Opiyo, was arrested less than 24 hours prior in Homa Bay County and transported to Nairobi, where he met his untimely death under controversial circumstances.

Ojwang was arrested on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at his family home in Kabondo Kasipul, Homa Bay County, by plainclothes officers reportedly from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). His father, Meshack Opiyo, recounted that six officers arrived on motorcycles while the family was having lunch, handcuffed Albert, and stated he was being arrested for allegedly insulting their 'boss' on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). It was later reported that Ojwang was an administrator for an X account belonging to Kelvin Moinde, who had also been arrested in Kisii for similar allegations of online posts. Ojwang was initially taken to Mawego Police Station before being transferred over 400 kilometers to DCI headquarters in Nairobi and subsequently booked at Central Police Station on Saturday evening. His father mentioned that during the transit, he had asked his son to inform the officers about his asthma.

According to the National Police Service (NPS), Ojwang sustained fatal head injuries after allegedly hitting his head against the cell wall while in an isolation cell. Police stated that officers on duty noticed the injuries and rushed him to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. This official account attributed his death to suicide.

However, this narrative has been met with significant skepticism and is contradicted by several accounts and observations. Meshack Opiyo, upon viewing his son's body at the Nairobi Funeral Home (formerly City Mortuary), described visible marks on his arm, a swollen face, and blood oozing from his nose and mouth, which he felt were inconsistent with the police explanation. Further inconsistencies emerged: the police report at the City Mortuary listed the cause of death as 'sudden death,' not suicide. Mr. Opiyo also questioned why police initially told him his son's body was at Mbagathi Mortuary when it was, in fact, at the City Mortuary. Friends of Ojwang who went to Central Police Station on Saturday night reported that he had not been booked in the Occurrence Book (OB) by 10:35 p.m., though the OCS later claimed he was booked at 9:05 p.m. Crucially, a leaked phone call made by Ojwang shortly before his death captured him expressing deep fear for his safety in custody, asking a friend, "Will I be safe in there?" His lawyer was also reportedly denied access to speak with the DCI officers handling his case.

The death has drawn strong condemnation from various prominent figures and organizations. Former Chief Justice David Maraga denounced the death as a tragic event that shakes the country "yet again, at what has become a constant wave of state-sponsored violence against young Kenyans." He highlighted that Ojwang was held without being formally booked, a violation of due process, and called the police explanation "wanting," demanding an immediate and independent investigation. Maraga also raised concerns about the arrest of Kelvin Moinde for online expression, emphasizing the need to protect digital rights. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga described the incident as a "distressing and painful tragedy" and urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to conduct an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation, with findings made public. Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who referred to Ojwang as his schoolmate "Januzaj," expressed devastation and directly challenged President William Ruto and the NPS, asking, "how many... are enough?" Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi called for calm and patience, acknowledging ongoing investigations and commending the police for initial steps taken.

In response to the growing outcry, Inspector General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja, ordered the immediate interdiction of several officers from Central Police Station. This included the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), the Duty Officer on shift during the incident, the Cell Sentry, all officers at the Report Office that night, and any other personnel found to have been involved. The NPS, through its spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, stated that this action was to ensure a "thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation" by IPOA. The NPS reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, human rights, transparency, and accountability. IPOA has since launched its own investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ojwang's death.

Meshack Opiyo has been vocal about his grief and disbelief, questioning why his only son, for whom he had toiled for 20 years working in a quarry to educate, was treated like a terrorist and left alone in a cell for a social media post. The incident, along with the recent arrest of software developer Rose Njeri, has been cited as part of an alarming trend of intolerance towards critical voices online. As investigations proceed, Ojwang's family, friends, and a concerned public await answers and demand justice and accountability for his death in police custody.