Top security officials rushed to Rachuonyo after angry crowds attacked a police station. The violence started when mourners brought back the body of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger who died at Nairobi Central police cells on June 7. Regional Commissioner Florence Mworia and Regional Police Commander Gisiri Nyamohanga led the team that went to check the damage. Independent Policing Oversight Authority officials also came to investigate what happened. The commissioner ordered a full investigation into the attack.
Mourners took control of the hearse carrying Ojwang's body and drove straight to Mawego police station. Local polytechnic students joined them at the station and the crowd grew larger and more angry. Police fired teargas but could not stop the mob from entering the building. The crowd carried the casket through the station and other people stayed behind to destroy property. They burned down the station commander's office and the report office completely.
Some people stole flag posts, police flags, national flags, and station signs during the chaos. Police officers living nearby said their homes were broken into and robbed. Nobody got hurt and the weapons storage area stayed safe according to police reports. Ojwang's funeral will happen on July 4 at his family home with heavy police presence. Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat stepped down on June 16 pending investigations into Ojwang's death. Six people face murder charges for killing Ojwang, three of them being police officers who denied the charges in court.
Mourners took control of the hearse carrying Ojwang's body and drove straight to Mawego police station. Local polytechnic students joined them at the station and the crowd grew larger and more angry. Police fired teargas but could not stop the mob from entering the building. The crowd carried the casket through the station and other people stayed behind to destroy property. They burned down the station commander's office and the report office completely.
Some people stole flag posts, police flags, national flags, and station signs during the chaos. Police officers living nearby said their homes were broken into and robbed. Nobody got hurt and the weapons storage area stayed safe according to police reports. Ojwang's funeral will happen on July 4 at his family home with heavy police presence. Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat stepped down on June 16 pending investigations into Ojwang's death. Six people face murder charges for killing Ojwang, three of them being police officers who denied the charges in court.
