Legal proceedings and public outcry continue following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody. A court application seeking to bar Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat from his office, linked to investigations into Ojwang’s death, has been withdrawn. The petitioner's attorney, Ndegwa Njiru, informed Justice Diana Kavedza that the situation had changed, making the application irrelevant, and stated intentions to amend the main petition with new facts. Lagat had previously stepped aside on June 16, amidst mounting pressure from opposition leaders and human rights bodies demanding answers about Ojwang’s death. He publicly stated his temporary absence would facilitate unhindered investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). So far, at least six individuals, including Central Police Station OCS Samson Talam and Police Constable James Mukwana, have been charged in connection with Ojwang’s murder.

Meanwhile, OCS Samson Talam of Nairobi’s Central Police Station has been granted time to determine his next steps regarding his case. Talam has filed an application in the High Court, seeking to have the matter handled through an inquest rather than a criminal trial. He argues that a detailed judicial inquiry is necessary to uncover the truth and that a prosecution at this stage would be based on premature conclusions. His lawyer, Danstan Omari, noted that approximately 90 percent of the issues in Talam’s petition had been overtaken by events and requested a mention date of July 4 to receive full instructions from his client before advising on the appropriate direction. The presiding judge agreed to the request, granting Omari time to obtain instructions, and set the matter for mention on July 4 for further directions, including the potential withdrawal of the petition.

In parallel, funeral preparations are underway for Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and blogger, with his family planning to lay him to rest in Homa Bay on Friday, July 4. Ojwang, a father and husband, leaves behind his young widow, Nevnina Onyango, and their three-year-old son, George Miles. He was arrested at his home in Kakoth village, Kabondo Kasipul, and died hours later at the Central Police Station, never returning home after being picked up while about to have lunch with his family.

A memorial mass for Albert Ojwang was held on Wednesday, July 2, at Ridgeways Baptist Church in Nairobi, where emotional tributes were shared. His widow, Nevnina Onyango, recounted meeting Ojwang in 2021 and their last conversation while he was at the police station, where he expressed his love and asked her to be strong for their son. Nevnina described him as her best friend, an amazing person, reserved yet courageous, and vowed to care for their son. His mother, Millicent Omolo, tearfully spoke of her only son's supportive nature and how his death had traumatized them, recalling their last moments before DCI officers took him. She expressed regret for letting him go hungry. His father, Meshack Opiyo, drew a parallel to Abel in the Bible, stating that Albert’s blood was unjustly spilled and those responsible would never know peace, demanding justice for his son.

During the memorial, some church officials reportedly disclosed that around 16 DCI officers had visited them earlier, warning against allowing politicians, especially from the opposition, to speak from the pulpit or even providing them with seats. Despite these alleged warnings, former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi and Mumias East MP Peter Salasya attended the event, using the opportunity to criticize the government for what they perceived as orchestrated killings. Muturi highlighted the disparity in access to justice for ordinary citizens compared to those with political connections. Ojwang’s friend, Eliud Tessan, also shared a heartbreaking photo of their last dinner together in Kilifi, expressing his grief and demanding justice for