A fresh wave of outrage has erupted across Kenya following the release of a damning post-mortem report on the late Albert Ojwang, a popular social media influencer and high school teacher whose mysterious death while in police custody sparked widespread speculation. The autopsy, conducted by government pathologist Dr. Bernard Midia on Tuesday, June 10, at the Nairobi Funeral Home, revealed that Ojwang’s injuries were consistent with a violent assault, not self-harm as previously suggested by police.
Pathologist Rules Out Suicide or Accidental Injury
Speaking during a press briefing, Dr. Midia gave a detailed overview of his findings, contradicting the official version of events initially put forward by the National Police Service. According to Midia, Ojwang had not only sustained a fatal head injury and neck compression but also bore signs of trauma on multiple parts of his body.
“The cause of death is very clear. A head injury, neck compression, and other injuries on various parts of the body all point toward assault,” Midia stated.
The pathologist emphasized that the nature and distribution of the wounds strongly suggest that the deceased was subjected to a violent confrontation. His findings confirm what many Kenyans had feared: that Albert Ojwang was likely a victim of foul play while under police custody.
“When you combine all the injuries in the body, they are consistent with a struggle,” Midia added. “There were signs of struggle generally, but they are well described in the report.”
Delayed Autopsy Raises Eyebrows
Initially scheduled for Monday, June 9, the post-mortem was delayed after government Chief Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Dr. Oduor is reportedly related to the deceased and opted to step aside in the interest of impartiality.
This delay added to the growing unease surrounding the circumstances of Ojwang’s death. Family members and human rights advocates had already expressed concern over inconsistencies in the police account, with suspicions of torture and mishandling by authorities gaining traction.
Law Society of Kenya Backs Torture Allegations
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, who has been closely following the case, supported the findings of the post-mortem report. In a passionate address, she described the injuries on Ojwang’s body as those of someone who had been “severely tortured.”
“We are deeply disturbed by the evidence,” Odhiambo said. “Albert’s injuries are not consistent with the claims made by the police. These are the wounds of someone who suffered brutal treatment.”
She further criticized the manner in which Ojwang was arrested and the lack of transparency surrounding his detention.
“We want to know who picked him up in Homa Bay. We want to know all the places he was taken to, and who issued the orders,” she added.
Family Lawyer: ‘Defensive Wounds Suggest He Fought Back’
A day prior to the official autopsy, Ojwang’s family lawyer had already cast doubt on the police’s narrative. Speaking to reporters, the lawyer revealed that the influencer had what appeared to be defensive wounds on his hands and back—typically a sign that someone tried to protect themselves during a physical attack.
“These aren’t the injuries of someone who fell in a cell,” the lawyer stated. “They are the marks of a person who was clearly under attack.”
This revelation has significantly weakened the police’s initial claim that Ojwang had died after allegedly hitting his head against a cell wall, a theory now widely regarded as implausible.
Missing CCTV Footage and Social Media Tampering
Adding further suspicion to the case, civil rights activist Fred Ogolla has accused the police of deliberate tampering with evidence. Ogolla stated that key CCTV footage from the Central Police Station—where Ojwang was held—had gone missing. Even more alarming, he claimed police officers had accessed the influencer’s social media accounts, allegedly in an attempt to control the narrative surrounding his death.
“We are looking at a scenario where authorities are not just failing to protect citizens but are actively trying to cover up their own actions,” Ogolla said.
Who Was Albert Ojwang?
Albert Ojwang was more than just a high school teacher. A rising star on platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), Ojwang had built a devoted following by blending humor, social commentary, and youth mentorship. His unexpected death has left fans, students, and fellow educators in mourning—and demanding answers.
His influence extended far beyond his classroom in Homa Bay. Ojwang was an outspoken advocate for education, mental health, and the empowerment of young people. In many ways, he was emblematic of a new generation of digital-savvy Kenyan thought leaders.
Public Demands Justice and Accountability
The death of Albert Ojwang is now the center of a growing public outcry against police brutality and lack of accountability within Kenya’s criminal justice system. Hashtags such as #JusticeForOjwang and #EndPoliceBrutalityKe have trended on social media, with thousands of Kenyans expressing solidarity with Ojwang’s family and calling for an independent investigation.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Kenya and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), have also called for urgent action.
“Every Kenyan deserves to feel safe in the hands of law enforcement,” Amnesty Kenya stated in a recent press release. “The death of Albert Ojwang cannot be swept under the rug.”
What Happens Next?
With the autopsy now confirming signs of a violent assault, all eyes are on investigative agencies and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to take swift action. Specimens collected during the post-mortem have been sent for further analysis, and it is expected that a full forensic report will be made available in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Albert Ojwang’s family has vowed not to rest until justice is served.
“Our son cannot become another statistic,” a family spokesperson said. “We will fight for the truth.”