Fresh details have emerged in the mysterious death of popular X (formerly Twitter) influencer Albert Ojwang, whose final phone call before dying in police custody has sent shockwaves across Kenya.
Ojwang, known for his sharp online commentary, was arrested on June 7 in Migori County by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over allegations of publishing false information. He was transported to Nairobi Central Police Station, where he was later declared dead under unclear circumstances.
Leaked Phone Call: “Will I Be Safe in There?”
A leaked audio recording from a phone call between Ojwang and a close friend has gone viral, exposing the influencer’s deep fear and confusion in the moments before his death.
“Sielewi man, hata hawajanieleza man,” he said in a trembling voice, explaining he was being taken to Central Police Station but had not been told why he was being arrested.
The friend on the other end tried to calm him down, promising to visit the next day. But that visit never happened. Ojwang died that night.
“Umewai kuwa ndani? How is it? I have never experienced this. Like will I be safe in there?” Ojwang asked—his chilling words now widely circulated on social media.
Police Claim Suicide, Family Disputes Narrative
In an official statement, National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed the arrest, alleging that Ojwang hit his head against a wall in the cell and was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
However, Ojwang’s family and friends dispute the police narrative. His father, Meshack Ojwang Opiyo, said the influencer was in good health at the time of his arrest. He described how two motorcycles carrying four plainclothes officers stormed their home in Kakwoth Village, Homa Bay, and took his son away while he was eating lunch.
“They told me he had insulted their boss online,” said Opiyo. “But when I asked which boss, they warned me to stop asking too many questions.”
He followed the officers to Mawego Police Station, and later tried to track his son at Central Police Station in Nairobi, where he was finally informed—by a chaplain and senior officers—that his son had died the night before.
But inconsistencies in the timeline have sparked outrage.
- A friend said Ojwang called him at 9:48 pm on Saturday, but was not booked at the station by the time the friend left at 10:35 pm.
- Police records later indicated he was booked at 9:05 pm.
- The body, initially said to be at Mbagathi Mortuary, was later found at City Mortuary (now Nairobi Funeral Home).
Disturbing Signs of Injury
When Opiyo viewed his son’s body, what he saw horrified him.
“His face was swollen, he had blood coming from his mouth and nose, and visible injuries on his arms,” he said. “How does a man kill himself like that in a police cell? I don’t believe it. I want justice.”
Hospital officials at Mbagathi confirmed Ojwang was brought in but declared dead on arrival. The City Mortuary entry listed the cause of death as “sudden death”, deepening the contradictions in police accounts.
Political and Civil Rights Fallout
Ojwang’s death comes amid an apparent crackdown on critical voices online. His fellow X administrator Kelvin Moinde, whose account allegedly posted the controversial messages, was arrested earlier and remains in custody at Kamukunji Police Station.
Civil society organizations and human rights defenders have condemned the incident as part of a worrying pattern of state intimidation against digital activists and whistleblowers.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched a probe into the incident, but the family is demanding a public inquest.
“He was my only son. I raised him alone for 20 years. He was a father, a husband, and a teacher. Why was he killed like this?” his father said.
