Raila Odinga's turf slams union with Ruto

Mourners escorting the body of slain teacher Albert Ojwang at their home Mawego Lida Market. [Michael Mute/Standard] ODM leader Raila Odinga's turf on Friday called for the arrest and prosecution of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat as the body of slain teacher Albert Ojwang was laid to rest in an emotional sendoff at their home at Kakoth village in Homa Bay. Mourners demanded that the top cop who was implicated in Ojwang's woes leading to his arrest and eventual murder, alongside other police officers who are yet to be presented in court, be brought to book. This happened as Raila's backyard, which is considered one of the spines supporting President William Ruto's fragile administration, which is plagued with several political fires, erupted in anger over the death of Ojwang. The anger, pain, and anguish that were witnessed on Thursday as the body was brought home, which saw mourners chant obscene anti-Ruto slogans, spilt over to yesterday's burial as mourners demanded justice for Ojwang. The calls came amid strong defiance from Raila's political allies, who accused the opposition of attempting to gain political profit from the Gen Z movements and vowed not to bolt out of their union with Ruto. An array of sadness and sombre moods engulfed in tension and scuffle characterised the final send-off of the slain teacher and social media influencer at Nyawango Primary School in Homabay. Yesterday, calls for prosecution for all those linked to the brutal end of Ojwang's life dominated speeches, while a section of activists who spoke at the burial claimed they would turn up to protest against the government during Saba Saba. The late Albert Ojwang's father Meshack Ojwang with Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga were in their home at Kakoth Village in Rachuonyo East Sub-county, Homa Bay County. (James Omoro/Standard). His family, relatives, friends, and political leaders who attended the burial said no stone should be left unturned over the death. Coincidentally, the family said that the late Ojwang's birthday falls on July 7, and urged Kenyans to join them in celebrating what could have been his birthday in their numbers. "Continue standing with us for my husband to get justice. July 7, 2025, is Albert's birthday. Let us come out in large numbers in celebration of Albert and the fight for justice," said Ojwang's widow, Vevnina Onyango. Earlier on, the family and the church had pleaded with mourners not to heckle political leaders attending the burial and allow them to bury their son in peace. Tears flew freely as the family recounted the pain their son went through after they lost their kin. At the sidelines, mourners who didn't get a chance at the podium said senior police officers involved must be brought to book. "The investigations are cosmetic to contain emotions. All those whose names were mentioned must be brought to book," said Joyce Akinyi, a mourner. Ojwang's mother, Eucabeth Ojwang, teared up as she mourned her only child while explaining the toil that she went through to bring up her only child. "I used to work for people as a maid to ensure my only child got what to eat and went to school. Sometimes, I used to sell firewood to people to make ends meet to ensure my son had a bright future," Eucabeth explained to mourners. She said her son's death came at a time when he was beginning to start life as an adult. Eucabeth argued that she expected her son to get opportunities they had been preparing him for since childhood. "I wish the police officers would kill me and spare my son's life so that he could also get the opportunity to bring up his family the way we did to him. May he give all the killers discomfort in their entire lives," Eucabeth added. Ojwang's father, Meshack Ojwang, expressed concerns over his son's murder. "My appeal is that Albert Omondi can get justice. He did not deserve to die," Meshack said. Meshack narrated how he was forced to do odd jobs to secure a better future for his son before he was violently plucked away from their lives. "This young man was a hero in my family. From a very tender age, I saw something special in my son. It made me go all the way to Kilifi to work hard to ensure that he's catered for. I paid his fee from the money I earned while working at a quarry," he said. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said DIG Lagat should be arrested and charged. He argued that Lagat should lead among police officers implicated in Ojwang's death. "We want all police officers who participated in Ojwang's murder arrested and charged. This should start with DIG Lagat," Owino said. And in a twist, despite being perceived by some ODM insiders as a traitor for failing to openly endorse Ruto's leadership, Babu received a rapturous welcome from mourners. Mourners even demanded that he address them twice at the burial, as he continues to amass political points from the region. Mourners cheered him as he made his address and called for the prosecution of all police officers involved. The family's lawyer, Julius Juma, urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, IPOA, to speed up its investigation into the murder and ensure that all suspects are charged. "Finish your investigations, bring the whole report and charge everybody, including the people you have not brought. There are people you have not charged, we want them charged," Juma stated. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said they will follow Ojwang's death keenly to ensure those who murdered him are punished severely. "We will be following this case on the death of Albert closely. Those police officers who have been charged in court, we will follow to see to it that they're charged with murder and they are convicted as per the law," Wanga said. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who is perceived to be an ODM rebel, received a warm welcome at the ODM backyard, where the large crowd cheered him upon his arrival. As the Homa Bay Governor was cutting her hurried speech, the crowd chanted Owino's name, demanding that he take the podium and address the mourners. The governor wanted to hand over the microphone back to the family, marking the end of speeches by leaders. "Babu! Babu! Babu! Babu! Babu," they chanted, forcing Owino to address them for the second time. Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo said it was painful for Ojwang's mother to be deprived of her only son. "I know the pain Ojwang's mother is undergoing after remaining childless because I am also in a similar situation. The death was uncalled for," Millie said. She told opposition leaders to stop criticising ODM leaders, claiming that they are still keen to fight for justice for Kenyans even when they are in government or outside government. "Justice is in our DNA as an ODM party. Nobody should come to dictate to us how we should handle justice," Millie said. Similar calls were also echoed by Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara. "All we call for is justice in this matter," Dr Obara said. Earlier during the burial, there was tension during a prayer service in which a young man was chased from Nyawango Primary School, where the burial service was going on. The new call for the arrest and prosecution of the DIG of Police Eliud Lagat came as a London-based activist Eliud Karanja Matindi filed a petition in court seeking to stop Patrick Tito from acting as the DIG in charge of the Kenya Police in the absence of Eliud Lagat. Tito was Lagat's principal assistant while he was in office until the latter stepped aside. In this case, Matindi has sued the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) and the Attorney General. Lagat and Tito have been listed as interested parties alongside the Law Society of Kenya and Katiba Institute. Matindi is seeking to have Tito barred from carrying out any duties, as per a letter that was issued by Lagat when he announced that he was stepping aside. Pending the hearing and determination of the case, Matindi wants an order prohibiting Lagat from carrying out any functions of a DIG. In the petition, Matindi questions the role played by the police employer, the NPSC, when Lag appointed Tito as his replacement in the DIG's position. He says that NPSC abdicated its role. Additional reporting by Fred Kagonye

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