Mawego National Polytechnic has come out and strongly condemned the destructive violence, which led to the torching of Mawego police station by the angry youths who were mourning the slain teacher albert ojwang’.
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the enraged youth demanding justice for the late Albert Ojwang’ a teacher cum blogger who died in police custody early last month, marched into the police station and set it ablaze.
The protesters, many of whom were residents of the area, claimed the station was the last place Ojwang’ was seen before being transferred to Nairobi, fueling suspicions and anger over the circumstances of his death.
The violent incident has drawn widespread attention, prompting swift condemnation from Mawego National Polytechnic which through their student leader, has distanced itself from the attack, emphasizing that the destruction does not reflect the values of its student body. The administration and student leadership have expressed sorrow over Ojwang’s death but rejected the use of violence as a form of protest.
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In a strongly worded letter signed by Ephraim Odhiambo Were, a member of the Mawego Student Council, the institution stated: “The Mawego Student Council unequivocally and unreservedly condemns the burning of structures at Mawego Police Station by individuals ferried from outside our community. This criminal act does not reflect the values, intentions or character of the Mawego student body.”
The letter further clarified that students have been mourning Ojwang’s death with dignity and unity, and warned against attempts by external actors to exploit their grief. The council described such interference as a distortion of their mourning process and a dishonor to Ojwang’s memory.
“We wish to make it categorically clear that the students of Mawego have been mourning the tragic and untimely demise of our comrade, Albert Ojwang’, with the dignity, pain and unity that such a loss demands. The presence of external actors attempting to hijack our grief and distort the narrative surrounding this painful moment is not only unacceptable but also a direct insult to the memory of Comrade Albert Ojwang’,” the letter read.
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The student council called on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into both Ojwang’s death and the subsequent violence. They urged law enforcement to distinguish between peaceful mourners and those who incited chaos, stressing the need for justice on all fronts. The institution’s leadership emphasized that while they seek answers and justice for Ojwang’, they reject violence as a means to that end.
By Masaki Enock
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