Teacher and social media influencer Albert Ojwang’ was on July 2, 2025, eulogised as a man of few words but with boundless generosity.  

A low-key memorial service attended by a handful of mourners at the Ridgeways Baptist Church in Nairobi was held in his honour, with only two key politicians, former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, gracing the event. 

The 31-year-old slain teacher who hailed from a humble background is to be buried on July 4, 2025, at his home in Kakwonyo village, Homa Bay county. 

Contrary to other high-profile memorial services, which are mainly held in a church within the Nairobi Central Business District, Ojwang’s remains were wheeled a distance from the city centre, a security tactic to fend off unwarranted protests. 

A senior police officer deployed at the Ridgeways church termed the venue as perfect for the event, as they had an easy time with the small gathering that was present.  

Aftermath of demos 

“You recall what happened when his age mates (Gen Z) decided to protest over his death two weeks ago. It would have been disastrous in town,” the police officer said. 

The security officer was referring to the aftermath of demos that took place two weeks ago, on June 17, 2025, when protesters took to the streets demanding justice for the blogger and teacher who was murdered in Central Police Station cells. 

The family, through their spokesperson Kenneth Ouma, demanded that despite the court case that is ongoing, the government must explain what happened to their kin. 

“Maybe the government should now come out and speak to us in a way that we may understand what really happened to Albert. Because there’s truth somewhere, and somebody somewhere knows exactly what happened and who did what,” Ouma said 

Ojwang’s remembrance service ran smoothly, with emotions running high among his wife, Nevnina Onyango and his mother, Eucabeth Adhiambo. 

Eucabeth praised his son as one who paid attention to her welfare, always splashing her with money to ensure she had enough food in the house for her and his father. 

The distraught mother was inconsolable as she narrated how Ojwang’ left without taking even a bite of the ugali meal she had just served him before police stormed into their compound and took his only child with them. 

“They took you from my hands when I had just served you ugali for lunch, which you had not even started eating. When the police came to our home, you started shaking and I asked whether you had done something wrong, to which you replied ‘no’,” she said. 

Nevnina said that she spoke to Ojwang when he was at Central Police Station, and he had promised her that they would be back home soon. 

“When we last talked, he was in Central Police Station, I think I was the last person he talked to, and his last words were, I love you, see you soon,” she said. 

“Seeing him in the mortuary really broke me. But he has always told me to be courageous. So, I just want to stand strong for the sake of our son, the mom, the dad, and even other people who are not here, because most of them looked up to him.” 

The couple married in 2021 and were blessed with a son, George Miles Omondi, with the widow stating that theirs has been a family bound by love. “The way you left is unbearable, but I hold on to our love, our memories and our son,” her tribute reads in part. 

Take the right channel 

Stating that she would not wish to see any other woman undergoing the horror of losing a husband, Nevnina urged those in authority to exercise caution while responding to their critics.

“So, I’d like to ask them to treat everyone perfectly. Even if they’re not their relatives, even if they’re people that they don’t know, let them take the right channel, let them deal with everyone in the very best way.” 

Former Cabinet Secretary Muturi faulted the government for targeting the young people who have turned to protests to oppose some of its programmes, saying the constitution has given them the right to express themselves. 

MP Salasya said that he will be at the forefront to oppose the Protest Control Bill that has been proposed by Nairobi Woman representative Esther Passaris once it is tabled in Parliament. 

Ojwang’s family lawyer, Julius Juma, refuted claims that the family had received donations amounting to Ksh10 million after his death, emphasising that they had received about Ksh5.6 million. 

“They received Ksh2 million from the Head of State, Ksh1 million from Honourable Raila Odinga, and Ksh2 million from Kenyans generally, who gave them in the form of one shilling, Ksh10, Ksh100, Ksh1,000, totalling Ksh5,060,000. That is what the family received, and they appreciate each individual for standing with them,” Juma said.