By Neville Oduor
President William Samoei Ruto issued a formal statement from State House, Nairobi, addressing the controversial death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and blogger who passed away in police custody.
Ojwang was arrested on June 6, 2025, in Homa Bay, western Kenya, following an alleged critical social media post targeting Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
In his statement, President Ruto expressed profound sorrow, stating, “Like most Kenyans, and especially as a parent, I received the news of the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody with utter shock and deep dismay.”
He extended condolences to Ojwang’s family, particularly his father, Meshack Ojwang, and condemned the incident as “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” vowing to ensure accountability.
The autopsy report, released on June 10, 2025, revealed that Ojwang’s death resulted from severe blunt force trauma to the head, contradicting initial police claims of self-inflicted injuries. This finding has fueled public outrage and calls for justice.
Ruto emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, saying, “It must be borne in mind by every member of the National Police Service that whenever they take a person into custody, they assume a tremendous responsibility for that individual’s safety.”
He directed the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to conduct a transparent probe, adding, “I fully expect that the truth about what happened to Ojwang will be established in due course, and that justice will be served.”
The statement comes amid protests in Nairobi, with activists demanding the arrest of senior police officials.
While Ruto’s address has been welcomed, many Kenyans question the delay in his response and the lack of immediate action against implicated officers.
The nation awaits further developments as the investigation unfolds.