Wamuzi News Ke
Mourners carrying the coffin of slain teacher and blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang stormed the Mawego Police Station today, igniting outrage and setting the facility ablaze in a dramatic display of anger and grief.
Video footage shows youths running toward the station, chanting and hoisting Ojwang’s coffin high before igniting sections of the compound—known to have initially detained him on June 7. Eyewitnesses report that all six officers on duty fled in the chaos, leaving the building vulnerable to the crowd’s fury.
The protest escalated quickly: fire consumed front offices near reception, forcing police reinforcements to arrive nearly an hour later amid thick smoke and emotional scenes. Local leaders described the moment as “charged with ancestral rites, demand for cleansing, and people’s rage all at once” .
Albert’s family and surrounding community have endured weeks of anguish since his death. Arrested in Kakoth over an alleged defamation post, he was taken first to Mawego, then transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station—where he later died in custody.
This latest protest comes amid a nationwide crisis—a test of Kenya’s public confidence in law enforcement. President Ruto publicly acknowledged Ojwang died “at the hands of the police,” after an autopsy revealed blunt force trauma and neck compression inconsistent with official claims of self-harm. At least six officers are now facing murder charges; one senior police commander and a CCTV technician have been arrested for allegedly sabotaging evidence.
Today’s blaze at Mawego is the most visceral escalation yet. Thousands of mourners, including students from Mawego Polytechnic, marched defiantly to the station, carrying twigs and leaves believed to ward off evil—their grief bleeds into protest as they demand accountability.
What happens next:
- Investigation intensifies: The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is expected to investigate the destruction and any remaining personnel’s actions.
- Public pressure mounts: Nationally, vigils are being called ahead of Saba Saba commemoration next week, possibly triggering more unrest.
- Political spotlight: With police credibility at breaking point, MPs from Homa Bay and rights groups are threatening to summon Interior CS Murkomen and DCI Amin for parliamentary hearings.
Why it matters: The Mawego incident starkly demonstrates Kenya’s crisis in policing and public trust. Ojwang’s death under custody already shook the nation; today’s arson signals a deeper rupture—anger is no longer confined to social media, but spilling into public rebellion.
Stay tuned: As the Ashes of Mawego smolder, clarity on who ordered the transfer, who cleared the station, and who will be held to account is critical. This confrontation between community rage and state response may define Kenya’s next chapter on justice, transparency, and accountability.
