While in police custody, Albert Ojwang made a haunting call to his wife, indicating he was afraid.
He had been taken from his home in Kakoth Village in Homa Bay County and driven hundreds of kilometres to Nairobi.
There, far from his family, he sought reassurance: would his father, Meshack Ojwang, still stand by him when he faced justice?
As if sensing his end, he reached out to his wife that Saturday night, seeking comfort and assurance that his family would not abandon him.
His uncle, Herman Opiyo, on Thursday said the call came about five hours after Ojwang had left Mawego Police Station with officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“He told his wife he was frightened and asked if his father would still travel to Nairobi to be with him,” Mr Opiyo recalled.
Albert Ojwang's mother Eucabeth Adhiambo Ojwang (left) with his widow Nevinina Onyango Omondi at their home in Kokoth Village, Homa Bay County on June 9, 2025.
Photo credit: George Odiwour | Nation Media Group
Earlier, upon learning of his impending transfer to Nairobi, Ojwang’s father had promised to accompany him.
But travelling in different vehicles, the father arrived in the capital hours after his son. It has now emerged that Ojwang’s call was simply to confirm that his father’s promise still held.
According to Mr Opiyo, he had sensed danger in police custody and, at one point, used a phone belonging to one of the officers.
He was only allowed to use his own number after convincing them the message he wished to relay was personal and deeply sensitive.
“He managed to call his wife on his phone and also rang his father to say he had arrived in Nairobi,” said Mr Opiyo.
“I have a strong feeling he was being coached on what to say. I’ve listened to the recording between him and his friend — he sounded terrified,” the uncle added.
Back home, the family noted something unusual. One of the six arresting officers had filmed their home on his mobile phone.
Mr Opiyo believes the footage was intended for someone else, perhaps a senior officer who ordered Albert’s arrest.
“We didn’t understand why he was recording, but clearly, the video was meant to be shown to someone,” he said.
At the Ojwang home, the family still recalls their final moments with the teacher. Known affectionately as Omondi in his village, Ojwang was an unassuming young man.
Ms Eucabeth Adhiambo Ojwang (centre), Albert Ojwang’s mother, is consoled by relatives at her home in Kokoth village, Homa Bay County on June 9, 2025.
Photo credit: George Odiwour | Nation Media Group
He was described as warm and sociable and valued family ties. He spent his childhood at the Coast before relocating to Homa Bay.
Throughout his life, his family insisted, he was never involved in any criminal activity. During his arrest, Ojwang told his uncle that it would be the first time he set foot in a police cell.
After graduating from Pwani University in 2022, he worked as a teacher in Taita Taveta County, employed by the school’s board.
He had recently received confirmation from the Teachers Service Commission that he would soon be absorbed into the public service.
It was to mark a new chapter in his life, one that would see him uplift his family and transform their home.
“He returned in April and had been home ever since,” Mr Opiyo said.
Albert Ojwang's mother Eucabeth Adhiambo Ojwang (left) with his widow Nevinina Onyango Omondi at their home in Kokoth Village, Homa Bay County on June 9, 2025.
Photo credit: George Odiwour | Nation Media Group
On the day police came for him, Ojwang woke up early as usual and asked his father for a motorcycle to travel to Ringa Trading Centre to buy tree seedlings.
But a relative advised him to go to Miriu instead because it was closer. He took the advice, left home and returned in the afternoon, only to be arrested.
That afternoon, the family shared a meal — Albert, his wife Nevinina Onyango, his parents, and Mr Opiyo.
“It was as though Ojwang had brought us together to say goodbye. Normally, he’d just pop in to say hello. But this time, he asked us to gather and dine together,” Mr Opiyo recalled.
At the time, there was nothing to suggest he was a marked man. He had not mentioned being threatened, nor did anyone notice signs of fear.
“I only learnt about the allegations against him after his arrest. He always used his phone privately. There was no indication he was in danger,” Mr Opiyo said.
At Mawego Police Station, Ojwang told his family he expected to be arraigned on Monday and asked them to attend the hearing.
“He admitted he had posted something on social media, but he was confident the case wouldn’t lead to prosecution,” said Mr Opiyo.
On Thursday, residents of Kakoth Village held demonstrations to demand justice for Ojwang’s death.
The group held protests at Lida Trading Centre, just a few kilometres from Mawego Police Station, where Ojwang was briefly held before being moved to Nairobi.
