The pain of losing a loved one in unclear circumstances has continued to weigh heavily on the family of Albert Ojwang’, even as nearly a year passes since his death.
The young man was taken from his home in Kakoth village in Kabondo Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County, on June 7, 2025, by detectives who transported him to Central Police Station in Nairobi over a social media post.
He died the next day while in custody, an incident that shocked many and sparked calls for accountability.
For his father, Meshack Ojwang’, life has not returned to normal. He says the family lost not just a son, but their main source of support and hope.
Albert had taken on responsibilities at home and played a key role in helping the family meet daily needs.
Since his death, Meshack explains that they have struggled both emotionally and financially, trying to adjust to a life without him.
The grief has not faded with time. Meshack says the family is still trying to come to terms with what happened, and at times it feels unreal.
Although the case is still ongoing in court, he holds on to hope that justice will eventually be served. However, he also expresses disappointment over how the situation has unfolded over time, especially regarding support that was once promised to them.
According to Meshack, the family initially received attention and help from well-wishers, leaders, and activists who stood with them during the difficult period after Albert’s death.
But as months went by, that support slowly reduced. He says many of the promises made have not been fulfilled, leaving the family feeling abandoned.
Among the pledges he points out are those reportedly made by Johnson Sakaja, including a job opportunity for Albert’s wife after her graduation, a house in Nairobi, and the purchase of land for the family in Lida trading centre.
Meshack claims that none of these commitments have been honoured so far, adding to their frustration.
He also mentions that after publicly thanking William Ruto for financial support during the burial, the level of assistance from various groups, including activists, dropped significantly.
This sudden silence, he says, left the family feeling isolated at a time when they still needed support.
Despite their situation, the family has tried to uphold cultural expectations. Meshack says they went ahead to pay dowry for their late son as a way of honouring his relationship, even though they were already facing financial challenges.
It was a difficult decision, but one they felt was important for their family and traditions.
Albert’s mother, Eucabeth Ojwang’, says the loss has deeply affected her life. She describes her son as her only child and says accepting his death has been extremely hard.
At times, she struggles with basic needs, including food, due to lack of support. The emotional pain has also taken a toll on her mental health, making it difficult for her to return to normal routines such as going home or attending church.
The family has also raised concern about what they describe as false information circulating on social media about them.
They say such reports have only added to their distress during an already painful time.
Even as they continue to grieve, the Ojwang’ family is appealing to Kenyans to remain calm and allow the legal process to move forward.
They say they still believe that the truth will come out and that justice, though delayed, will eventually be achieved.
