Teachers in Kwale County have called for an immediate end to extrajudicial killings, following the controversial death of Homa Bay teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody in Nairobi.
Speaking during a press briefing at Baraza Park in Matuga, a section of Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) officials condemned the brutal death. They urged the government to take concrete action to end police brutality and restore public trust.
Kwale KUPPET Executive Secretary Leonard Oronje said it is unacceptable that innocent lives continue to be lost at the hands of the very people entrusted with protecting them.
“Enough is enough. The killing of Albert Ojwang should be the last. How many more must die before action is taken? We cannot continue normalising such heinous acts in police custody,” said Oronje.
He demanded justice for Ojwang and accountability from those in leadership, saying top security officials must not be allowed to evade responsibility.
Oronje accused the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, DCI boss Mohamed Amin, and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen of failing in their duties and called for their resignation, arguing they had allowed a culture of impunity to flourish under their watch.
“It’s shameful that Ojwang died in the hands of law enforcers. These officers must be stopped from killing innocent Kenyans. We demand action, not excuses,” he added.
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Oronje further stressed that teachers across the country must rise and speak out against police violence and demand justice for their colleague.
Kwale KUPPET Treasurer Ummi Maloba echoed the sentiments, saying Ojwang’s death was not only heartbreaking but also a wake-up call to stop the ongoing bloodshed.
“We are deeply pained. How can someone be taken from their home alive and later declared dead in a cell? This cruelty must stop,” said Maloba.
She urged human rights bodies, civil society, and the international community to follow the case and push for accountability closely.
“Let Ojwang’s death be a turning point. Let it be the last. Police should protect, not kill,” she said.
Maloba also took issue with leaders who have remained silent, accusing them of ignoring the cries of ordinary citizens.
She said that the spirit of Ojwang should never rest until all those involved are apprehended and justice served.
Another teacher, Mishi Maulid, said it was wrong to target citizens for expressing criticism.
“As long as you lead, expect questions. That’s democracy. You can’t go around silencing voices through violence,” she said.
Mishi called for an end to intimidation, insisting that constructive criticism should be used to foster change, not trigger retaliation.
The teachers vowed to keep pushing until justice is served and meaningful steps are taken to prevent any further killings of innocent citizens.
By Omar Shaban
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