In a dramatic display of anger and demands for justice, thousands of youths on Thursday stormed and torched the Mawego Police Post in Rachuonyo East, Homa Bay County. The incident occurred as they escorted the coffin of the late blogger and teacher, Albert Ojwang', who was set to be buried the following day. Ojwang' had died in police custody at the Central Police Station in Nairobi, having initially been arrested at his father's home and detained at the Mawego Police Station.

The procession, originally intended for a body viewing at Nyawango Primary School, was intercepted by the youths approximately one kilometre from Ojwang's rural home in Kokwanyo village. At Lida shopping centre, the agitated crowd demanded that Ojwang's body be taken to the Mawego Police Station, the site of his initial detention. Despite pleas from Albert's father to refrain from diverting the body, the youths persisted, leading to a three-hour standoff. This confrontation culminated in the youths forcefully removing the coffin from the hearse and marching towards the police station.

Upon their arrival at the Mawego Police Station, the angry youths removed barricades and proceeded to set the post on fire, alongside the OCS office, as a protest against Ojwang's controversial death. At the time of the incident, all police officers had already vacated the premises, fleeing as the large mob approached. Later, officers from Homa Bay County arrived nearly an hour after the fire had started, but much of the post was already beyond salvage.

Homa Bay County Police Commander Lawrence Koilen condemned the actions, confirming the destruction. Ojwang's death has intensified growing concerns over police brutality across Kenya, coming amid a resurgence of abduction cases in recent weeks. Many mourners voiced their deep anguish, with one, Joseph Onyango, stating that no amount of compensation could alleviate the pain of losing their son to police violence, questioning why Ojwang' was not presented before a court if he had committed a crime.

The outrage surrounding Ojwang's death also led to calls for the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of police, Eliud Lagat, who had previously filed a complaint against Ojwang' with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations over an alleged defamatory statement on the blogger's X (formerly Twitter) page. A requiem mass for Ojwang' had been held earlier in Nairobi, attended by close family members and politicians, where his father, Meshack Opiyo, delivered a powerful message to his son's killers, quoting the biblical story of Cain and Abel to emphasize the cry for justice.

Adding to the profound sorrow, Albert Ojwang's widow, Nevnina Onyango Omondi, shared an emotional tribute during which she tearfully recalled their meeting in 2021 through a mutual friend. She expressed her grief over her partner's unexpected departure, highlighting that their young son remains unaware of his father's death. The public outcry continues as Ojwang's burial ceremony is set to proceed in his home village in Kasipul.