Wanga, clergy lead outcry over alleged extrajudicial killing of blogger Ojwang
Albert Ojwang
Audio By Vocalize
Pressure is intensifying over the murder of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, with political and religious leaders now demanding swift investigations and full accountability for those involved.
At the forefront of this growing outrage is Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who has condemned the killing as a betrayal of the commitments made under the country’s current political truce.
Speaking during a church fundraiser in Kisumu County, Governor Wanga — who also serves as the ODM National Chairperson — described Ojwang’s death as “an outrage” and a setback to the broad-based government’s pledge to end extrajudicial killings.
“We had just come from a successful Madaraka Day function when we learned that a young man from Homa Bay, Albert Ojwang, had been brutally murdered at the hands of rogue police officers,” said Governor Wanga. “What do we call that?”Ojwang, who was reportedly tortured and killed while in police custody, has become the latest symbol of alleged police brutality in Kenya. His death has not only sparked grief but also stirred tensions within the Kenya Kwanza–ODM collaboration, with some leaders now questioning the sincerity of the alliance's commitments — particularly the pledge to uphold human rights.
“That agreement included inclusivity, and more importantly, a promise to stop extrajudicial killings,” said Wanga. “We are in this broad-based government, and from within it, we will demand justice and ensure that promise is not betrayed.”Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu echoed similar sentiments, insisting that the lives of all Kenyans must be respected.
“In this government, we must be respected,” said Buyu. “Under no circumstances will we let go of the death of Albert Ojwang.”Her remarks were reinforced by Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, who directly appealed to President William Ruto to rein in security agencies.
“Mr. President, you are the Commander-in-Chief — we are pleading with you to ask your people to stop the killings in Kenya,” she said.Beyond the political arena, religious leaders have also joined the call for justice. At the Holy Family Basilica, Rev. Fr. Michael Ndichu led prayers for Ojwang’s grieving family, while urging those implicated in the murder to take personal and collective responsibility.
“The blood of the innocent cannot be ignored,” said Fr. Ndichu. “Let justice flow like a river.”
As investigations into Ojwang’s death continue — and with several suspects, including police officers, already under scrutiny — leaders and citizens alike are demanding more than arrests: they want assurances that no Kenyan will ever suffer the same fate again.
Leave a Comment