The death of Albert Ojwang in police custody is not just a tragedy — it is a national outrage. It exposes the deepening crisis within our law enforcement institutions and signals a dangerous shift toward fear-based governance in Kenya. Albert’s death must not be forgotten, minimized, or concealed behind official lies. The people of Kenya deserve the truth. We demand justice.

Albert’s only alleged offense was expressing himself online — a social media post critical of a government official. For that, he was arrested, detained, and never made it out alive. This is not simply an abuse of power; it is a direct assault on the constitutional freedoms guaranteed to every Kenyan. A young man lost his life for speaking out. That is unacceptable. It is horrifying. And it must not be allowed to happen again.

Mr. President, while your political upbringing may have been shaped during the Moi regime — an era of suppression, detentions, and fear — this country has moved on. We are no longer willing to be ruled through intimidation. Kenyans are not your subjects. We are your employers. We are citizens, not children to be disciplined for dissent. The state cannot continue responding to criticism with violence. Not now. Not ever again.

What has made Albert Ojwang’s case even more appalling is the official response. The Kenya Police Service issued a statement attempting to “clarify” the events leading to his death, but in reality, it was a blatant cover-up. The statement is riddled with inconsistencies, half-truths, and intentional omissions. Instead of acknowledging the possibility of wrongdoing and promising a thorough investigation, the police chose spin over substance. That is not accountability — it is cowardice. And it is an insult to Albert’s family and to the intelligence of every Kenyan.

Let it be known: the Kenya Police Service is not a private militia for the political elite. It is a public institution, funded by the people of Kenya, and bound by the Constitution. Those officers who continue to follow unlawful orders — arresting, harassing, and brutalizing citizens without legal cause — must understand that impunity is not a shield forever. We will pursue justice, through every legal and constitutional channel available. You are paid to protect us, not to silence us.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) must now rise to the occasion. Kenyans are tired of statements, forums, and empty promises. We need real action. We need transparent investigations and criminal accountability for officers involved in the killing of civilians. We also call on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to remember its constitutional duty: to serve the public interest, not to protect political figures. Failure to act decisively in the face of such violations is a betrayal of your mandate.

Albert Ojwang’s life mattered. His voice mattered. And his death must not be treated as just another statistic in a long list of victims of police brutality in Kenya. This is not an isolated case. It is part of a growing pattern of state repression and the criminalization of free expression. But we will not be silenced. If the goal is to scare us into submission, the result will be the opposite. Every young life lost, every parent forced to bury a child, only strengthens our resolve.

We are watching. We are grieving. But above all, we are organizing — to ensure that Albert’s name is remembered not just as another victim, but as a turning point. A moment where Kenyans drew the line and said: enough.

We will not forget. We will not be silent. And we will not stop until justice is served.