Raila warns of rising police lawlessness after Ojwang's death

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has warned that police violence is fast becoming no different from mob justice, as he condemned the death of Homa Bay teacher Albert Ojwang, who died in custody after being arrested over a social media post.

In a statement on Tuesday, Raila said Ojwang’s death reflects a deeper crisis within law enforcement, where police brutality is now normalized, unchecked, and indistinguishable from criminal mob behavior.

"When citizens can no longer tell the difference between the two forms of injustice — police injustice and mob injustice — we are staring at the reality of failure as a nation," he stated.

Ojwang, who had travelled home to Homa Bay for the weekend, was arrested on Friday and transported overnight to Nairobi.

He was booked at Central Police Station under the charge of false publication. Police said he was found unconscious in his cell and later confirmed dead.

His arrest followed claims that he had posted an offensive message about a senior police officer online.

As a result, Raila questioned how such a transfer and arrest were ordered without transparency.

"So far, nobody knows who gave the orders for Ojwang to be arrested and ferried all the way to Nairobi and yet that person should be answering to Kenyans," he said.

Ojwang’s family, along with activists, stormed the City Mortuary on Monday, demanding answers.

Their actions delayed the planned autopsy, which was rescheduled for Tuesday to allow full transparency. Government chief pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor, who confirmed he is related to Ojwang, said, "I am still part of the team. I have not resigned from the exercise. The guy was my relative."

The Law Society of Kenya added to the outcry, saying the arrest violated due process and police standing orders.

"There was no court order to justify the overnight transfer from Homa Bay to Nairobi," said the LSK President, Faith Odhiambo.

Following mounting public pressure, the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Kanja interdicted the Central Police Station commander, the duty officer, the cell sentry, and all officers on duty that night.

"This is standard protocol to ensure impartial investigations. IPOA is leading the process. If anyone is found culpable, they will face the law," he said.

Some of those interdicted claim they were off duty when the incident happened.

Raila said Ojwang’s death joins a growing list of unresolved police killings and warned that the credibility of the entire state is now on the line.

"Ojwang now joins the horrifying long list of young and defenseless Kenyans whose lives have been taken too soon, in brutal and senseless circumstances, at the hands of the police," he said.

"A speedy and credible closure to this latest incident of injustice in the hands of the police, alongside the many others that we have been pursuing since 2023, is not optional."