A father’s desperate journey to save his son ended in heartbreak, as Meshack Ojwang returned to Homa Bay with a death certificate instead of the freedom he had hoped to secure for his only child, Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody.

Ojwang left his Kakoth village home carrying only a title deed, hoping it would be enough to post bail for his 31-year-old son, a teacher who had been arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Days later, he is preparing to bury Albert, still searching for answers to questions that continue to torment him.

“What did Albert post that was worth dying for?” he asked during an interview, struggling to understand the reason behind his son’s arrest and the tragic outcome. He says he has not seen the message his son allegedly shared that led to the charge of false publication.

Albert was arrested following a complaint filed by Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has since arrested two police officers and a civilian in connection with the killing, and Members of Parliament have joined the push for accountability.

But Ojwang fears that justice may be delayed or derailed unless those who gave the orders are also held to account.

“If the investigation is still ongoing, why should the complainant in the case that cost my son his life still be in office?” he asked.

“The arrested officers were simply executing orders. The investigations need to narrow down to those who issued the orders.”

Although Ojwang welcomed the President’s promise that all who played a role will face justice, he fears the truth may be buried if powerful figures are protected. “I’m asking as a parent of the deceased, that Eliud Lagat who was the complainant also be summoned. Why is he still roaming free?”

The pain is worsened by the silence and confusion surrounding the child Albert left behind.

“Yesterday, my daughter-in-law told me that my grandchild asked whether the people gathered in their home were mourning their dad. She didn’t know what to answer. I can only imagine how troubled the child is.”

Albert’s widow, Nevnine Onyango, said she last saw her husband alive—and then next when he was lying lifeless.

“I know that we can’t bring his life back. But seeing him get justice and seeing those culpable being charged for what they did will at some point give us peace of mind.”

Ojwang described his son as caring and loving, someone who had never stepped into Nairobi in the two months leading to his arrest.

“He was my only child, and the one on whom we’d pegged all our hopes,” he said. “We are in total darkness. Our world has been plunged into total darkness.”

As he prepares to bury his son, Ojwang says the support from Kenyans has helped him stay strong. “It feels like we’re just beginning this walk of finding justice and learning the truth about what happened to my son.”