Sakaja: We’ll educate Ojwang’s son, support his widow, as we seek justice

Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has pledged to fully support the family of Albert Ojwang, a close friend and digital influencer attached to his media team, who died while in police custody under controversial circumstances.

Sakaja met the family at City Hall on Wednesday, where he promised to pay all burial expenses, fund the education of Albert’s young son, and clear outstanding college fees for his widow, who is studying community health.

The meeting was attended by Albert’s parents, his widow, and their two-year-old son.

"I have known Albert for a long time. If you go through his Facebook and Twitter you will see, he was a personal influencer, and we will walk with his family on this journey," Sakaja said.

"We will take care of the burial expenses, educate his three-year-old son George Miles, and finish paying his widow’s college fees. This is important as we call for justice for this young man."

The Governor also welcomed public contributions to a Paybill account supporting the family, noting the funds would go into a Money Market Fund to secure the child’s future.

"I am happy that Kenyans have come round to support the family and are contributing to a Paybill. The family has proposed that all those contributions be channeled to a Money Market Fund that will secure the child’s future instead of all being spent on an event," he added.

Sakaja further committed to helping the widow secure a job at the county once she finishes her studies.

"Upon completing her training as a health worker, we shall ensure she gets a job in the county as she is in her last semester," he said.

He also pledged to rally friends to buy land in Homa Bay and construct rental houses for Albert’s parents to support their livelihood.

"We want justice for Albert, true justice. This little boy, George, is oblivious of what has happened to his father, whom he will never see again. We cannot go on this way as a country," Sakaja added.

Ojwang was arrested on Friday in Homa Bay over alleged false publication and transferred to Nairobi, where he was booked into Central Police Station. Police later claimed he was found unconscious in his cell from self-inflicted injuries.

However, an autopsy conducted by five pathologists revealed otherwise.

Dr Midia, who led the post-mortem, said the injuries were not consistent with hitting a wall, as earlier suggested by police.

"If Mr. Ojwang had hit himself on the wall, we would have seen a different pattern of injuries, particularly frontal bleeding. Instead, the bleeding we observed was spaced across the scalp, including the face, sides, and back of the head," said Dr Midia at a press conference.

Ojwang’s death has triggered widespread calls for justice, with pressure mounting on authorities to hold those responsible accountable.