The nation is reeling from the tragic death of Albert Omondi Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and influencer, who passed away in police custody on June 7, 2025.
Today, President William Ruto broke his silence, expressing profound sorrow and calling for urgent action to uncover the truth behind this heartbreaking incident.
His statement, released through State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, has sparked a mix of hope, skepticism, and frustration among Kenyans, especially on social media platform X.
Ruto’s words carried a heavy tone as he mourned Ojwang’s loss, saying, “I take this moment to extend my heartfelt condolences to Meshack Ojwang’ and his family for the cruel loss of their beloved son. This tragic occurrence, at the hands of the police, is heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
He expressed shock and deep dismay, condemning any police negligence or criminality that may have contributed to the young man’s death.
“It must be borne in mind by every member of the National Police Service that when they take a person into custody, they assume a tremendous responsibility for that individual's safety, security, and well-being. They must discharge this duty conscientiously and without fail,” he emphasized.
The President urged the National Police Service to collaborate fully with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for a “swift, transparent, and credible investigation.”
He stressed, “The Service must therefore rise to the challenge of firmly dealing with crime and lawlessness, while also eradicating misconduct and unprofessional behaviour within its own ranks.”
Ruto called for patience as the process unfolds, advising Kenyans to “patiently but vigilantly follow the progress of the investigations without making premature judgments or drawing conclusions that could compromise the process.”
He concluded with a firm promise: “I fully expect that the truth about what happened to Ojwang will be established in due course, and that justice will be served.”
Reactions on X reflect a nation grappling with distrust. Some are below:
@KevOhanda posted, “Ruto’s words sound nice, but actions speak louder. We’ve heard promises before—where’s the justice for Ojwang?”
@Wanjiru254 added, “Finally, Ruto speaks! But can we trust the police to investigate themselves? IPOA must lead this.”
@OtienoJnr vented, “Heartfelt condolences? Spare us! This is a cover-up until proven otherwise.”
Optimism flickered with @GraceMuthoni’s comment, “A step forward if IPOA gets real power. Let’s hope justice prevails for Albert’s family.”
@Maina254 was blunt: “Ruto’s just playing politics. The police killed Ojwang, and we all know it—investigation or not!”
@ShirohKE chimed in, “Condolences are empty without accountability. Ruto, show us results, not just words!”
@DennisOchieng_ wrote, “IPOA better not be a puppet. Ojwang’s death is a wake-up call—act now!”
@AumaJoyce added, “Ruto’s right to call out police duty, but why the delay in action? Families are suffering.”
@Kamau254 retorted, “This is all PR. The system protects itself—Ojwang’s family deserves better than speeches.”
@EstherNabwire pleaded, “Please, let justice be served for Albert. His father’s pain is ours too—Ruto, don’t let us down.”
@JumaAliKE concluded, “A good start, but trust is broken. Prove it with arrests, not promises.”
This comes as the autopsy results, released on June 10, revealed severe trauma inconsistent with the police’s initial claim of self-inflicted injuries, intensifying public demand for accountability.
Ojwang’s arrest in Homa Bay over an alleged offensive X post, followed by his transfer to Nairobi and subsequent death, has fueled outrage, with over 80 abductions reported since last year’s tax hike protests.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!