Teachers call for investigation into Ojwang's death

KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori during a press briefing on budget cuts in the education sector on May 14, 2025. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Teachers have condemned how their Voi-based colleague, Albert Ojwang, met his death under police custody.

In a statement, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Secretary General Akelo Misori criticised the police for what he termed a coordinated operation involving officers from Taita Taveta, Homa Bay, and Nairobi counties.

"He did not deserve to lose his life. If he had committed a crime, he should have been prosecuted according to the law," Misori said.

"This wasn't a rogue act. The coordination across three counties of Taita Taveta, Homa Bay, and Nairobi suggests it was sanctioned at high levels of the police service," he added.

Misori, while welcoming the interdiction of some police officers, however, demands action on those who ordered his arrest.

"Senior officers involved must be brought to book. The OCS could not have commanded officers from across three regions to execute murder," he stated.

Ojwang was reportedly arrested in Homa Bay after publishing social media posts critical of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

He linked Ojwang's death to a broader pattern of alleged police brutality and extra-judicial killings being witnessed in the country.

"We've lost yet another young life after an arrest. Police custody should never lead to death. Interdicting junior officers isn't enough - senior officers must also be held accountable," said Misori.

He reiterated that Ojwang's death raises serious human rights questions.

"Albert was not a criminal. He was a Kenyan who spoke his mind. We must demand accountability. If we want to enjoy the rights guaranteed by our Constitution, we must keep telling these stories," maintained the Kuppet boss.

Civil rights groups, including the Kongamano la Mapinduzi Movement, have since joined the call for justice.

"We condemn the assassination of Ojwang. This cannot be swept under the rug," said a spokesperson for the movement, urging the government to expedite investigations.

The man questioned the official narrative provided by police, who claim Ojwang' fatally injuring himself by hitting his head against a wall.

"They say he hit his head in the cells, how? Why? With who? Where is the OB number? Who brought him to Nairobi, and in what condition?" he posed.