President Ruto Condemns Cruel Killing Of Kenyan Blogger In Police Custody, Says It’s Heartbreaking and Unacceptable

 

Source: Africa Publicity

Kenya’s President, William Ruto, says he received with “utter shock and deep dismay” the news of the alleged cruel killing of a Kenyan teacher and blogger, Albert Omondi Ojwang, in a Nairobi police custody.

 

In a statement issued on June 11, 2025, President Ruto says Ojwang’s tragic killing “at the hand of police, is heartbreaking and unacceptable.”

 

Mr. Ruto said “I strongly condemn the actions and omissions, including any negligence or outright criminality, that may have contributed to his untimely death.”

 

While extending his heartfelt condolences to Ojwang’s father, Meshack Opiyo Ojwang and his family, President Ruto said “It must be borne in mind by every member of the National Police Service that whenever they take a person into custody, they assume a tremendous responsibility for that individual’s safety, security, and well-being, and must make every effort to discharge this duty conscientiously and without fail.”

 

He said “The National Police Service is the nation’s trusted custodian of the security of all persons and property, and they must always uphold this trust in order to secure and maintain legitimacy and credibility in the eyes of the people.”

 

What happened?

 

An autopsy report issued by a Kenyan government pathologist has confirmed that Kenyan blogger and teacher, Albert Omondi Ojwang, was killed in police custody in Nairobi contrary to claims by police that he died from injuries as a result of an attempted suicide.

 

Call for justice

 

Following the autopsy report by government pathologist, a section of Members of the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security have demanded answers from the top hierarchy of Kenyan police over the killing.

 

The Members; Hon. Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town). Hon. Rozaah Buyu (Kisumu West), Hon. Peter Masara (Suna West) and Hon. Kaunya Oku (Teso North) stated that following the autopsy report, it has been confirmed that Ojwang’ did not die of self-inflicted injuries rather he died from multiple injuries to his body arising from third party.

 

“The post-mortem has been conducted and it confirms that he did not die out of self-inflicted injuries but he died out of multiple injuries to his body arising from a third party,” they said in press briefing.

 

According to Hon. Kaluma, as MPs serving in the Committee in charge of internal security and under which Committee where National Police Service falls, they want to know who instructed the arrest of Ojwang, who instructed him being moved from Migori to Nairobi and the names of the officers who effected the arrest.

 

“We want to know why Ojwang’ was brought from his home all the way to Nairobi yet we have competent police stations and officers back where he was arrested. We also want the Inspector General of Police to tell the public what happened between time of his arrest and transportation to Nairobi Central Police station,” Hon. Kaluma said.

 

Hon. Kaluma called on the IG to also name the officers whom Ojwang’ was handed over to in Central Police station and to ensure that everybody else involved in the killing be brought before the law to answer to the charges.

 

“Before the end of business tomorrow, we want the IG to give us answers to all these questions,” Hon. Kaluma said.

 

On her part, Hon. Buyu stated that to pave way for meaningful investigation, the person who lodged complain against Ojwang’ should step aside or resign, adding that being part of the team probing his death is a mockery of justice.

 

Hon. Masara called on the police to stop misusing their powers. He also called on IPOA to give its interim report on their investigation into the case so far.

 

Hon. Oku called for speedy investigation and justice for the family by ensuring all those responsible faces the law.