Friends of Albert Omondi Ojwang — who was killed in police custody in Nairobi — in Malindi are still struggling to come to terms with his death, as they were expecting him to return from upcountry on Wednesday last week.
Along the streets leading to his home, neighbours have been speaking in hushed tones about the man they admired and loved.
One woman, a neighbour, could not hold back her tears as she mourned the late Ojwang.
Long and deep conversation
“I don’t know what to say about the death of this boy (Ojwang). I’m burning inside,” the tearful woman said.
In an interview with the Daily Nation in Serena, Mr Jerald Agunda, 41, said he had known the late Ojwang for more than 10 years, since his days as a student at Pwani University.
Jerald Agunda speaks to the Daily Nation on June 13, 2025 outside an apartment in where Albert Ojwan'g used to live in Serena, Malindi town.
He described him as humble and friendly to everyone — someone who always avoided confrontation within and outside his circles.
Mr Agunda recalled serving as secretary of a fundraising committee that raised university fees for Ojwang, since his father could not afford it.
“I’m a contractor, and his father used to supply building stones. We used to raise money to support his son’s education,” he said.
After graduating from Pwani University, Ojwang secured a teaching job at Galana Girls Secondary School in Magarini, Kilifi, before transferring to a school in Voi.
Besides teaching, Ojwang also ran a business in Malindi. At some point, he asked his father to retire to their homeland in Homa Bay, promising to take care of him.
“His father, Mzee Opiyo, was old, and his son asked him to return to their rural home. Ojwang used to teach and run his business during his free time,” Mr Agunda said.
A flat in Serena in Kisumu Ndogo area in Malindi town, where the late Albert Ojwang rented a a two-bedroom house.
Photo credit: Maureen Ongala | Nation Media Group
He recalled that on Monday, May 19, just before Ojwang travelled upcountry, they spent the day together at his house in Serena, Kisumu Ndogo area.
“We always met at a joint, but because of insecurity, he asked that we sit and relax at home, sipping soda until late,” Mr Agunda said.
They had long, deep conversations about life.
“We spent time together from 10am to 8pm. He told me he was travelling home to see his parents and wife,” Mr Agunda said.
“On Saturday, around 2pm, I found a missed call from Ojwang. I tried calling him back at 5pm, but his phone was off. I called again on Sunday, but still couldn’t reach him.”
He eventually called Ojwang’s father, who broke the shocking news.
“The father asked me, ‘Are you looking for your friend who is now in the morgue?’ I was shocked.”
“I am pained by his death,” he said.
Mr Agunda recalled that when Ojwang was in his fourth year at university, his father had to sell a piece of land to raise his school fees.
“I was the key witness. I brought the buyer and witnessed the transaction so Omondi could complete his education,” he said.
Mr Okoth Odero, Chairperson of the Kilifi Council of Elders, says he had known Ojwang since he was a toddler.
“We are too sad. I witnessed the father’s efforts to support his son,” he mourned.
Kilifi Luo Council of Elders Chairperson, Mr Okoth Odero, speaks to Daily Nation on Friday, June 13, 2025 in Serena in Kisumu Ndogo area about the death of Albert Ojwan'g.
Photo credit: Maureen Ongala | Nation Media Group
“We’re disappointed with the police. Why would they travel from Nairobi to Ojwang's rural home in Homa Bay only to kill him?” he asked.
Mr Odero also demanded answers from the government and called for action against the officers involved.
“Why are police officers killing citizens? We are mourning, and we want to know why the government is targeting our community. We are taxpayers—they are our employees,” he said.
Mr Odero recalled how Ojwang’s father called him while weeping, to inform him that the police had picked up his only child to kill him.
Ms Tabitha Wanjiru, a pub owner in Serena, described Ojwang as a close friend, client, and football rival. Ojwang supported Manchester United while Wanjiru supports Arsenal.
“He was down-to-earth and respected everyone regardless of status. He used to eat and drink here, enjoying my Sh50 chicken and Sh20 viazi karai. He loved being with the people,” Wanjiru recalled.
Ms Tabitha Wairimu, the proprietor of the Summer Land Pub in Serena, Malindi town, where the late Albert Omondi Ojwan'g used to patronise.
Photo credit: Maureen Ongala | Nation Media Group
She said Ojwang watched matches at her pub and played pool there too. Other patrons at the pub used to call him ‘Omosh.’
“I was shocked to read on Facebook that he had died by suicide in a police cell. I had to confirm the name through my M-Pesa account,” she said.
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Kilifi branch assistant executive secretary Mr Zachary Oppolo said he and Ojwang were comrades at Pwani University.
“It’s sad and painful to lose a teacher at the hands of security agencies,” Mr Oppolo said, adding that the death was a threat to teachers' safety.
“For years, we’ve lost teachers to bandits in Tana River, Lamu, and Baragoi, but now, even police officers are killing us.”
Kuppet Kilifi branch assistant executive secretary, Mr Zachary Oppolo, speaks to Daily Nation at Serena in Kisumu Ndogo area in Malindi town.
Photo credit: Maureen Ongala | Nation Media Group
Mr Oppolo said the union is planning to hold a candle-lighting event to honour Ojwang and send a strong message to the government.
Teachers in Kilifi will march from Alaskan to the BP area, then gather at the roundabout for a candle-lighting vigil.
“It’s painful to lose a teacher. This isn’t something we take lightly. We’ve already lost Albert Ojwang—please don’t let more of us die,” he said.
Mr Oppolo said Ojwang was a social media influencer and political blogger at Pwani University, known for never insulting opponents.
“He was straightforward and jovial. He blogged during social and political functions without ever crossing ethical lines. Even now, we’re combing through his X account, but we haven’t found anything to justify his death,” Mr Oppolo said.
He said Ojwang's last public appearance in Kilifi was during the installation of the Luo Council at Barani Secondary School.
Mr Oppolo accused the government of rushing to delete Ojwang’s X account, possibly to cover up the murder.
“A complaint about the DIG doesn’t warrant death,” he said.
Mr Stephen Opiyo said he lived with Ojwang and his father in Furunzi, Malindi, and they had become like brothers.
Mr Opiyo called for a law requiring police to obtain a court order before arresting suspects or conducting searches.
Mr Stephen Opiyo speaks to the Daily Nation on Friday, June 13, 2025 in Serena, Kisumu Ndogo area in Malindi about Albert Ojwan'g's death.
Photo credit: Maureen Ongala | Nation Media Group
“Such a law would protect suspects from harm. Too many innocent Kenyans are dying in the hands of police officers,” Mr Opiyo said.
According to his Facebook page, Ojwang also blogged for Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Before his tragic death, Ojwang was helping fundraise for the construction of Riwo Baptist Church in Oyugis, Homa Bay. He was a member of the church committee.
