The recent death of Albert Ojwang, a young Kenyan blogger and teacher, has left many Kenyans in pain and anger. Albert died while in police custody under very suspicious circumstances.
An independent autopsy showed that he had been beaten badly, which completely goes against the police’s explanation that his injuries were self-inflicted. This tragedy has now become a powerful symbol of the ongoing problem of police brutality, forced disappearances, and abuse of power in Kenya.
People are especially worried about how some leaders, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and President William Ruto, appear to be using money to distract the public from the real issue.
Governor Wanga went to visit Albert’s grieving family in Kakoth Village, where she offered to build a two-bedroom house for them.
She also promised KSh 1.5 million for the project. On top of that, she said that President Ruto had given KSh 2 million to help cover funeral expenses.
While these actions might look kind, many Kenyans are not convinced.
The timing of these donations has raised suspicions that these leaders are trying to calm down the public and take attention away from the need for real justice.
Instead of dealing with the real causes of Albert’s death like police violence and lack of punishment for rogue officers these offers seem more like attempts to silence angry citizens.
This is not just about one person’s death. Albert’s case speaks for many young Kenyans who risk their lives when they try to expose corruption or challenge those in power.
Albert was known for his fearless posts online, where he questioned authority and pointed out wrongdoing. He was arrested after allegedly defaming a senior police officer, and he never made it out alive.
His death has caused protests in Nairobi, with many people demanding that top police bosses resign. But instead of listening to these calls for change, the government appears more interested in throwing money at the situation to make it go away.
President Ruto has made public statements promising justice and calling for an investigation. But this is the same government that has failed to punish security officers in dozens of similar cases.
Last year alone, nearly 160 people were victims of killings or forced disappearances by police. Yet nothing serious has been done.
Ruto’s donation to Albert’s family, like Wanga’s, looks more like a political move than a serious step toward fixing the system. People are not asking for gifts or buildings. They want to live in a country where their voices are respected, and where no one has to die for speaking the truth.
Giving money to Albert’s family will not fix the broken system that led to his death. It will not bring back the many lives already lost to police violence. What Kenyans want is justice. They want those who killed Albert to be punished.
They want reforms in the police service. And they want young people like Albert to be able to speak freely without fear. Until this happens, no donation will be enough.
The demand for justice will only grow louder. Leaders must stop using handouts to escape responsibility and instead focus on building a country where truth, life, and freedom are respected.
