Eric Omondi rallies Kenyans to honour teacher Ojwang

A national movement is taking shape online as comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi mobilises teachers, students and Kenyans at large to honour the late Albert Ojwang, a secondary school teacher whose death in police custody has triggered outrage across the country.

Through a social media-driven tribute dubbed #MwalimuFriday, Omondi is calling for messages of condolence, flag-raising ceremonies and solidarity across schools in remembrance of Ojwang and in support of the pursuit of justice.

Speaking on Thursday after visiting Kituma Secondary School in Voi, Taita Taveta, where Ojwang taught, Omondi called on teachers across Kenya to join in a symbolic celebration of his life on Friday, July 4 — the day of his burial.

Ojwang' taught History and Christian Religious Education (CRE) at the school.

“Tomorrow as we lay him to rest, we will celebrate him as a hero,” Omondi said in a heartfelt statement on X.

“I’m calling upon teachers from across the country to send me short videos with messages of condolence and life celebration with the words #MwalimuFriday and #JusticeForAlbertOjwang. Also post videos of scouts raising the flag in honour of our fallen brother. Post and tag me.”

Ojwang’s body was taken to his father’s home in Homa Bay county on Thursday ahead of the burial.

Emotions ran high in the region as residents and fellow teachers mourned the man many described as committed, humble, and passionate about education.

Tension exploded into violence when angry protesters stormed Mawego police station in Homa Bay county, where Ojwang was briefly detained on June 7 before being transported nearly 400 kilometres to Nairobi.

In a shocking turn, the demonstrators — mostly youth — arrived in a procession carrying Ojwang’s coffin.

Witnesses said the group began chanting slogans demanding justice before storming the station, pelting it with stones, and eventually setting parts of it on fire.

Furniture and police files were reportedly destroyed in the blaze.

Police officers were overwhelmed and forced to flee as the crowd overran the station’s compound.

The incident marked a dramatic escalation in public anger, with many questioning why a teacher would be taken so far from his locality for questioning — and how he could die in custody within hours without accountability.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) have pledged to investigate the case, even as pressure mounts on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to explain the circumstances of his detention and death.

Ojwang, 31, died on June 8 while in police custody at Central police station in Nairobi — just hours after being picked up by DCI officers from his home in Homa Bay.

Police claimed he had posted content online that allegedly defamed Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

His death has sparked widespread condemnation, with civil society groups, education stakeholders and political leaders demanding a full and transparent investigation.

As Kenyans prepare to bid farewell to Ojwang on Friday, Omondi’s campaign is gaining momentum online, with teachers, students and human rights defenders sharing tributes and raising flags in solidarity.

“Let this be more than mourning. Let this be the start of justice,” Omondi said