Albert Ojwang: Charles Owino Urges Johansen Oduor to Oversee Blogger's Autopsy Amid Public Concerns
- Chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor withdrew from Albert Ojwang’s autopsy, citing a personal conflict of interest as Ojwang was reportedly his extended family member
- Ojwang's sudden death in police custody, just an hour after being booked, sparked protests across Kenya, with demonstrators demanding justice and police accountability
- Former police spokesperson Charles Owino urged Oduor to attend the postmortem to help the family determine the exact cause of their son's death
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Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Nairobi: Albert Ojwang, a social media influencer and teacher, died at the Nairobi Central Police Station just an hour after being booked.
Source: Facebook
His sudden death has sparked national outrage, triggering protests across the country with demonstrators demanding justice and accountability.
On Monday, June 9, chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor was scheduled to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of Ojwang’s death.
The examination, initially set for 10am, was postponed pending Oduor's arrival at the mortuary.
However, later in the day, the pathologist withdrew from the exercise, citing a personal conflict of interest, as Ojwang was reportedly a member of his extended family.
Before making his decision public, Oduor reportedly spent the morning in private discussions with Ojwang’s immediate family.
Charles Owino pleads with Oduor to attend Ojwang's postmortem
Speaking to Ramogi TV on Monday night, June 9, former police spokesperson Charles Owino urged Oduor to at least witness the postmortem, which was rescheduled for Tuesday, June 10.
"If he is a relative, he should not conduct the postmortem as decided, but we urge him to witness it for free to help this family. The family should also consider bringing in a third party to ensure transparency. However, we do not want the opposition to use this death to attack the government," Owino said.
He further demanded that the officers who first received Ojwang at the police station come forward to explain his condition upon arrival and provide clarity on what transpired in the holding cells.
Meanwhile, Ojwang’, 31, was an only child, a newly married husband, and a father of one.
Source: Facebook
His father, Meshack Opiyo, personally handed him over to the police after officers said they were sent to arrest him for allegedly publishing false information about Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat.
Opiyo had trusted that his son would be safe in police custody, but instead, Ojwang was reported dead just hours later.
Was Ojwang's father ready to bail him?
Meanwhile, while addressing journalists, Opiyo revealed that he had planned to bail out his son, if necessary, using a title deed as security.
He added that he had informed his lawyer in advance and had the title deed ready in his bag in case a bond or surety was required.
However, upon arrival, the distraught father never saw his son alive.
He emotionally recounted how Albert was taken by several police officers while he was in the middle of a meal. The officers had repeatedly assured him that his son would be safe in their custody.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
