NAIROBI, Kenya
Thousands of protesters, carrying the body of Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody, stormed a Kenyan police station Thursday, setting it on fire and demanding answers about his death, residents and authorities confirmed.
Police confirmed to the media that the Mawego Police Station in Homa Bay County was badly damaged as a contingent from the county’s police had moved in to restore order.
Protesters, many from Ojwang’s hometown, marched to the station with Ojwang’s body, accusing officers of a cover-up.
They forced their way into the compound before igniting a fire that engulfed parts of the building near the main reception area.
Videos showing the inferno at the station and thousands of residents marching with Ojwang’s body have gone viral online. Several clips reviewed by Anadolu showed thick plumes of smoke billowing above the station as mourners chanted and waved Kenyan flags while carrying his body.
Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and X influencer, was arrested June 7 in Kakoth village and died one day later in detention in Nairobi. Authorities said he was held in Homa Bay during initial proceedings before being transferred to Nairobi. The Mawego station is 229 miles (369 kilometers) west of Nairobi.
Kenyan President William Ruto has condemned the death and said he expects a “swift, transparent, and credible investigation” into the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death and subsequent unrest.
Authorities have urged calm in Homa Bay. The turmoil follows weeks of nationwide protests triggered by Ojwang’s death and continues a wave of unrest already testing the government’s relationship with youth and its handling of police accountability.
Protests are expected to intensify Monday as activists and youth groups across the country gear up for mass demonstrations tied to the anniversary of Saba Saba, a historic day for pro-democracy struggles in Kenya.
Organizers said the rallies will honor the legacy of past movements while demanding justice for recent victims of police brutality.
Calls for accountability, electoral reform and Ruto’s resignation have been amplified online, with mobilization efforts now spreading beyond major cities into rural counties.
