Albert Ojwang': Blow-by-Blow Account of Blogger's Arrest to Mysterious Death in Police Cell

• Albert Ojwang’ was arrested while having lunch with his family in Kabondo Kasipul, Homa Bay county
• His family and friends were informed of his death under unclear circumstances while in police custody in Nairobi
• News of his death caused outrage with Kenyans and leaders alike calling for investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death

Albert Ojwang’, a 31-year-old father of one is dead, and his family and a majority of Kenyans are seeking answers following the circumstances surrounding his demise.

The young man lost his life while in police custody at the Central Police Station, causing an uproar as to what led to his untimely death.

An autopsy examination revealed that the popular blogger was physically assaulted and sustained multiple injuries all over his body, leading to his death, as opposed to earlier reports that he hit his head on the police cell wall.

TUKO.co.ke has prepared the chronological events from his arrest to his death.

Events from Albert Ojwang’s arrest to death

Arrest in Homa Bay on Friday, June 6

Albert was picked up by six Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers from his father's compound in Kabondo Kasipul, Homa Bay county, and taken to Mawego Police Station.

He stayed at Mawego briefly and was moved to Nairobi’s Central Police Station where he was questioned by the officers on Saturday, June 7 as per a statement by the police.

During this period, he made a phone call to his friend asking what it was like to be in a police cell and whether he was going to be safe.

His father, Meshack Ojwang’, boarded a public service vehicle that Saturday night heading to Nairobi with a title deed, just in case he needed to post bail for his son.

The 31-year-old called again at 9 pm, saying they had arrived at the police station, and his phone went silent afterward. Friends who visited him at 9.40 pm were not allowed to see him.

Albert reported dead on Sunday, June 8

Albert’s dad arrived on Sunday morning and went straight to the police station along with some of Albert’s friends.

After being told to wait a few hours to see his son, Meshack was finally told that his son was dead.

Police issued a statement clarifying the time he was booked, how he died, and even where his body was.

The statement noted that Albert was booked on Saturday, June 7 at 21.35 pm.

He was then found unconscious the following morning as per the police and immediately rushed to Mbagathi Hospital for treatment.

This they noted was documented in the OB at 1.39am

However, a report by Citizen TV showed that the blogger had been booked into the occurrence book at 2.35 am. However, at 3.45 am, he was booked yet again in the OB as deceased.

Lingering questions over Albert Ojwang’s death

The father of one called his friends at around 9pm, saying they had arrived at the police station, but he was booked at 2.35 am. What happened during the four-and-a-half hours in between?

Secondly, the OB as per the report recorded that he died by 3.45am, yet a police statement reported he died on arrival at Mbagathi Hospital.

LSK calls out IPOA over Albert Ojwang’s murder

In related news, TUKO.co.ke reported that the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) called for a swift investigation into Albert’s death.

LSK president Faith Odhiambo accused the police of attempting to cover up the incident and also called out IPOA for delays in the probe.

Odhiambo dismissed any excuses and demanded transparency in the investigation noting that public pressure would persist until a decisive action against the officers involved is taken.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke