President William Ruto extended condolences to Meshack Ojwang’, the father of late blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang’, following the young man’s controversial death in police custody. During a heartfelt phone call, the President expressed his sorrow and pledged KSh 2 million in support of the grieving family.
Subsequently, the President’s gesture followed the conclusion of the Luo mourning rite known as Tero Yuak, held in Albert’s honor. Meshack, speaking publicly about the call, described it as deeply moving.
“Namshukuru Rais kwa kuchukua ndugu yangu. Alichagua kuchukua mzigo huu kama wake,” he recounted, reflecting on the President’s words of comfort.
Authorities arrested Albert at his home in Homa Bay County, and he later died on June 7 while in police custody in Nairobi. His death quickly sparked national outrage and intensified scrutiny of police conduct. Meanwhile, an autopsy revealed that he died from head injuries and neck compression, directly contradicting the initial police claims.
Then, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga visited the bereaved family and officially announced the President’s donation. Furthermore, she pledged to build a three-bedroom house for the elderly parents. “Mourners will come, sit in a tent, eat and leave but you deserve a better place to live,” she affirmed during her visit.
Additionally, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga reached out to the family from abroad to express his condolences. Investigators have since launched a formal inquiry into the circumstances of Ojwang’s death, as calls for swift justice continue to intensify nationwide.
