Seven people were brought before a court in Oyugis after being arrested over the violent attack and burning of Mawego Police Station in Homabay. The suspects were linked to the incident that took place on July 3, as tensions flared during the arrival of teacher Albert Ojwang’s body in the village. Police had asked to hold the suspects for 21 days to allow investigations, but the court instead gave a seven-day custodial order.

The suspects are currently being held at Kendu Bay Police Station.

According to police, their arrest followed an intense search after the mob attack on Mawego station, where Ojwang was once briefly held before being transferred to Nairobi.

His death on June 7 in the Nairobi Central Police cells has since triggered outrage and protests, especially in his home village where he was buried on July 4.

It was during the arrival of his body that events took a dramatic turn. Mourners, joined by students from a nearby polytechnic, redirected the hearse to Mawego Police Station. Police fired teargas in an attempt to control the situation, but the crowd grew more aggressive.

Some members of the group stormed the station, walked through with the casket, and began ransacking the offices. The Officer Commanding Station’s office and the report office were set on fire and completely destroyed. In the chaos, others took the station signage, the national and police flags, and the flag posts before escaping.

Police officers living in nearby houses said their homes were looted during the incident, but confirmed that no one was injured and the station’s armoury was secure.

Following the arrest of the seven suspects on July 6, they were arraigned the next day at the Senior Principal Magistrate’s Court in Oyugis. Officers told the court they needed three weeks to carry out investigations, but the court only granted seven days. Police are continuing with the probe as the suspects remain in custody.

The attack on Mawego Police Station came as public pressure mounted over the killing of Ojwang, who was allegedly murdered at Nairobi Central Police Station. Six people have already been charged with his death. Those charged include Nairobi Central Police OCS Samson Talam, Constable James Mukhwana, Peter Kimani, John Ginge Gitau, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue. They are accused of jointly murdering Ojwang on the night of June 7 and 8 inside the police cells.

Investigators now have two major cases on their hands — one into the killing of the teacher, and the other into the destruction of the police station linked to his earlier detention.