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Saturday, June 21, 2025

Ex-CJ David Maraga visits Ojwang’s family in Homa Bay, demands accountability

Former Chief Justice David Maraga when he visited the home of the late Albert Ojwang’ in Kakoth village, Kokwanyo Location, Rachuonyo East Subcounty, Homa Bay County on June 21, 2025/ DAVID MARAGA

Former Chief Justice David Maraga on Saturday visited the home of the late Albert Ojwang’ in Homa Bay county to condole with the family.

Maraga said although Ojwang’s parents were not at home during his visit, he met members of the extended family and shared his condolences.

“Albert’s murder will always remain a painful reminder of the work that we all must do to uphold justice, truth, and the dignity of every Kenyan’s life,” Maraga said.

He renewed calls for the resignation, arrest and prosecution of senior police officials linked to Ojwang’s death.

“I reiterate my call for the resignation, removal from office, the arrest and eventual prosecution of the IG, the DIG (and) the DCI,” Maraga said.

His visit came two days after senior police officers from the Nyanza region visited Ojwang’s family.

It marked the first official police gesture to condole with the family, a week after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announced that such a visit would be made.

Thursday’s delegation was led by Nyanza Regional Police Commander Gisiri Nyamohanga, accompanied by other top regional security officials.

Commander Nyamohanga led the team to Mzee Meshack Ojwang’s home in Kakoth village, Kokwanyo Location, Rachuonyo East Subcounty, where they offered condolences and shared words of comfort with the grieving family.

“We came here on behalf of the National Police Service to condole with this family and to show that we share in their pain. The death of Albert has touched many of us, and we want to assure the family that we are committed to ensuring that justice takes its course,” said Nyamohanga.

The officers also presented a donation of assorted food items to support the family during the mourning period, acknowledging the large number of visitors who continue to stream into the homestead.

They delivered rice, flour, sugar, milk and vegetables.

Ojwang’ died in police custody at Nairobi’s Central police station on June 7, just hours after he was arrested by DCI officers from his father’s compound in Homa Bay.

His death has since sparked a wave of national protests, with Kenyans demanding justice and accountability.

Several police officers have already been arraigned in connection with the incident.

They include Central police OSC Samson Tallam and Constable James Mukhwana, the cell sentry on duty the night Ojwang died.

Several others have been interdicted and remain under investigation while DIG Eliud Lagat stepped aside to pave way for investigations.

Kanja told MPs on June 12 that Ojwang’ was arrested after Lagat make a complaint that the teacher and blogger had defamed him in an online post.

The IG had been summoned alongside DCI boss Mohamed Amin by the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security to answer questions regarding the death of Ojwang in police custody.

Police initially said Ojwang’ died from self-inflicted injuries sustained by banging his head against the wall in his cell but an autopsy revealed that he was assaulted then stangled to death.

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