Babu Owino Demands Justice in Death of Albert Ojwang, Questions Police Conduct

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has issued a scathing statement condemning the circumstances surrounding the brutal death of Albert Ojwang, demanding urgent answers from top police leadership and accountability for what he termed an apparent abuse of state power.

In a detailed and strongly-worded message shared on Monday, Owino expressed outrage over what he described as yet another extrajudicial killing at the hands of state security institutions, questioning the legality, transparency, and motive behind Ojwang’s arrest, transfer, and eventual death.

“The Kenyan Constitution and our Criminal Justice System have a framework for dealing with any offence,” Owino said. “There is no offence in Kenya punishable by extrajudicial killing, as we keep witnessing from state security institutions.”

Albert Ojwang, a young man from Homa Bay, reportedly died under unclear circumstances after being arrested and transported over 400 kilometers from his home to Nairobi. His death has ignited public outrage, particularly among youth and civil rights groups, who are demanding accountability from law enforcement.

Owino raised a number of unanswered questions and called on the Inspector General (IG) of Police to immediately address the nation on the following:

What publication did Albert Ojwang make, and what offence did it constitute under Kenyan law?

Why was Ojwang moved from Homa Bay to Nairobi, despite Homa Bay having police stations and courts with proper jurisdiction?

What injury allegedly caused Ojwang’s death, and are there any eyewitness accounts from fellow inmates confirming the official version of events?

The MP further demanded that an independent post-mortem be conducted, supervised by a neutral pathologist, to determine the exact cause of death.

“We want IPOA to move in quickly and conduct a thorough investigation into the DCI officers, as well as the OCPD and OCS of both Mawego and Nairobi Central Police Stations,” he added, calling the sequence of events around Ojwang’s arrest and death deeply suspicious.

Owino emphasized that while most police officers in Kenya serve honorably, a growing culture of rogue elements within the force threatens public trust in law enforcement and justice systems.

“We must ask: Is the National Police Service a protector or a killer of citizens?” he asked.

He also called upon fellow leaders across the political divide to unite in demanding justice and to stand with the family of Albert Ojwang in their quest for answers.

“I will be adding a strong voice in all ways possible to this quest for justice,” said Owino. “Kenyans deserve better.”

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is yet to issue a public statement on the matter. Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on the Inspector General of Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to give a clear and transparent account of what led to the young man's untimely and tragic death.