Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has strongly condemned the death of Albert Ojwang, who died under controversial circumstances while in police custody at Central Police Station.
Ojwang, a teacher from Homa Bay County, was arrested on Friday by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for allegedly posting content on social media deemed critical. He died early Sunday morning, with police claiming it was a suicide — a claim that has sparked public outrage and raised serious questions.
“Albert was not a criminal. He was a teacher. A citizen. A son. A voice on social media, exercising his right to free expression under our Constitution,” said Muturi during a press address.
Muturi dismissed the police’s version of events, describing the alleged suicide in custody as “not just suspicious, but outrageous.”
“The circumstances surrounding his death insult the intelligence of Kenyans and raise very serious questions about the conduct and accountability of our law enforcement agencies,” he said.
The former Speaker of the National Assembly further warned that Ojwang’s death reflects a disturbing trend of state-led intimidation and silencing of dissenting voices.
“We cannot sit back and watch a generation of young, vocal, and courageous Kenyans be hunted down for simply speaking truth to power,” Muturi added.
His remarks were echoed by Samburu West Member of Parliament Naisula Lesuuda, who called the incident “painful, brutal, and absolutely unacceptable.”
“Ojwang’s death in police custody is not just tragic but also brutal. How many more young lives must we lose to police brutality?” she questioned.
Lesuuda called for justice, saying that transfers, suspensions, and interdictions of police officers are not enough and demanded a complete end to extrajudicial killings.
Ojwang’s death has ignited national debate on freedom of expression, human rights, and police accountability. Human rights activists and civil society organizations are calling for an independent investigation into the incident.
