Police in are once again under heavy criticism following the death of 26-year-old Albert Omondi Ojwang while in custody. Albert was arrested in Homa Bay over claims of false social media posts and later transferred to Central Police Station in Nairobi.
Not long after, he was declared dead. The official police explanation was that he sustained head injuries after hitting his head against a wall in the cell. This statement has been received with outrage and disbelief across the country.
Many people, including respected lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi, have openly questioned the police version of events. In a post on X, Ahmednasir wrote, “OF COURSE, THE POLICE ARE SABOTAGING THE GOVERNMENT FROM WITHIN…why KILL an innocent boy in police cells and issue a statement that ‘the suspect sustained head injuries after hitting his head against the cell wall’…how is that even possible?”
His words echo the frustration many Kenyans feel. There is growing anger that Albert, who was healthy and active just hours before, could die in such suspicious circumstances, and all the police offer is a vague and unbelievable excuse.
Albert’s family is heartbroken. His father has demanded answers, saying his son was not sick, was not violent, and was taken in for questioning not for committing a violent crime.
Now he is dead. The family believes that he was murdered in the hands of police officers, and they are calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
This is not the first time Kenyans are hearing about someone dying mysteriously in police custody. Human rights groups have previously raised concerns about Kenya having one of the highest numbers of custodial deaths in Africa.
Many of these cases are swept under the rug, and the officers involved face no punishment. This has led to a growing lack of trust in the police and increased calls for reform.
Social media platforms have been flooded with posts demanding justice, with #JusticeForAlbertOjwang trending across the country. Some users mocked the police statement, saying it is physically impossible for someone to fatally injure themselves by banging their head against a wall in a small cell. Others warned that unless the government acts now, the public will push for change through elections or protests.
While the Independent Policing Oversight Authority says it is investigating the case, few Kenyans have faith that any real action will be taken. For many, Albert’s death is not just about one person it represents a broken system where police brutality goes unchecked.
