Calls for justice are growing following the mysterious death of Albert Onjwang, a teacher from Voi and a popular social media influencer, who died Sunday while in the custody of Central Police Station officers in Nairobi.
Onjwang was reportedly arrested Saturday afternoon by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations at his parents’ home in Migori. Friends say the arrest was linked to posts he made on social media platform X that were critical of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Langat.
He was driven to Nairobi and taken to Central Police Station. However, sources say he was never entered into the Occurrence Book, a key requirement for all detainees. By Sunday morning, heThe Late Albert during a past event
Police claim Onjwang injured himself in custody, stating he repeatedly hit his head and body against the cell walls. He reportedly died while being rushed to Mbagathi Hospital.
The explanation has sparked disbelief among friends, activists and fellow influencers, who say it reflects a growing pattern of abuse by law enforcement.
George T. Diano, a fellow influencer, said Onjwang was part of a recent online campaign criticizing police misconduct. Diano and others allege that several participants in the campaign were arrested in recent days, with Onjwang the first to die in cuDstody. He called the death an extrajudicial killing and demanded an independent investigation.
Cyprian Nyakundi, a well-known blogger, also reported that Onjwang was picked up by DCI officers and never formally booked. He described the death as suspicious and urged the public to demand transparency from authorities.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has not yet commented on the incident. Meanwhile, human rights groups are urging the government to release surveillance footage and conduct a transparent autopsy.
Despite government promises to end extrajudicial killings, Onjwang’s death is renewing fears that such practices persist.