A heavy cloud of grief hung over Ridgeways Baptist Church along Kiambu Road on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, as the body of Albert Ojwang arrived for his requiem mass.

The moment the hearse pulled into the church compound, emotions quickly spilled over. Family, friends, and mourners broke down in tears, unable to hold back their pain.

The scene turned deeply emotional as the rear doors of the hearse opened.

Two relatives, an older woman and a younger one, moved toward the vehicle in visible anguish. The older woman cried out, stretching her arms toward the coffin, while the younger one paced beside the hearse, overcome by grief and struggling to hold herself together.

A video recorded by Radio Generation Kenya showed the emotional moment, capturing the cries and silence that swept over the crowd. Many mourners stood quietly, deeply affected by the raw sorrow they witnessed.

Ojwang’s dark brown casket was later carried into the sanctuary, where a large crowd had gathered to honor his memory. Family members, friends, the public, and rights groups filled the church pews, many still shaken by the circumstances of his death.

The requiem mass came just days after a candlelight vigil was held in Nairobi on June 29. At the vigil, close friends and relatives lit candles and called for answers. “All we want is justice for Albert. No one should lose their life through police brutality this is a democracy,” one mourner said.

Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and well-known blogger, was reportedly arrested from his father’s home in Kabondo-Kasipul, Homa Bay County, on June 7. Police allegedly took him to Nairobi, where he later died in custody on June 8. His death sparked widespread outrage across the country.

According to authorities, Ojwang injured himself in a police cell and died after being taken to Mbagathi Hospital. However, a post mortem revealed signs of blunt-force trauma and physical assault, raising serious questions about the official explanation.

Outside the church, mourners hugged each other, some wiping away tears as they waited for the service to begin. Inside, tributes were read as his community remembered a man known for speaking out and standing firm in his beliefs.

Ojwang’s body will be taken to Homa Bay on Thursday, July 3, and laid to rest on Friday, July 4, at his father’s home in Kakwonyo Village. He was born in Kakoth, Homa Bay County.

His father described the loss as unbearable. “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my only son,” he said, visibly shaken by the tragedy.

Ojwang’s death led to protests across the country starting June 9, with citizens and activists demanding an end to police brutality. Human rights groups, political leaders, and the public have called for justice.

Several police officers suspected of being involved in the incident have since been arrested. The case is being handled by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ojwang’s death has come to symbolize the growing concern over extrajudicial killings and deaths in custody. It has sparked a national conversation about police conduct and accountability.

President William Ruto described the case as “heartbreaking and unacceptable” and promised to support a full and independent investigation.