By Okoth Otieno
A wave of public outrage has swept across the country, following the death of 31-year-old Albert Omondi Ojwang in police custody, with a post-mortem report revealing shocking evidence of brutality.
The report details head injuries caused by blunt trauma, neck compression, and multiple subcutaneous bruises on Ojwang’s body, findings that starkly contradict the police’s initial claim that he died after hitting his head against a cell wall.
Central to the analysis is the confirmation of a severe head injury caused by blunt force trauma, with evidence of multiple impact sites suggesting repeated blows.
Equally disturbing is the report’s documentation of neck compression, with visible bruising and soft tissue haemorrhage in the anterior neck region. This finding points to a sustained throttling event, a detail that has raised alarms about the circumstances of Ojwang’s detention.
The report includes a layer-by-layer dissection of the neck, revealing haemorrhage within the strap muscles, a sign of compressive force that aligns with forensic protocols for identifying non-accidental trauma.
Ojwang, a teacher and social media influencer, was arrested in Homa Bay on Friday for allegedly insulting Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat in an X post. Transferred to Nairobi Central Police Station, he was reported dead within 24 hours. The Kenya Police Service initially attributed his death to self-inflicted injuries, but the post-mortem findings have fueled widespread suspicion of foul play.
The post-mortem document, which was shared publicly today, has ignited a firestorm on social media, with users demanding justice under the hashtag # JusticeForAlbertOjwang.
The report indicates severe physical trauma, inconsistent with a single impact. Friends and family members who viewed the body at City Mortuary reported massive swelling on his head, blood from his nose, bruised cheeks, and defensive wounds on his hands, further supporting claims of a violent encounter.
Amid growing public pressure, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched an investigation into the matter. Protests erupted outside the city mortuary on June 9 and 10, 2025, as activists and citizens demanded accountability. The Ojwang family’s lawyer, Julius Juma, echoed the public’s outrage, stating that the injuries were inconsistent with the police narrative.
As investigations continue, Kenyans have called for transparency and justice in handling the case, which has reignited debates about police accountability in Kenya. The public remains vigilant, with many questioning whether this latest tragedy will follow the pattern of unresolved cases or finally spark meaningful change.