Ndindi Nyoro on Ojwang’s Death: If You Can’t Take Criticism, Quit Public Office
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has called on the government to conduct a full and open investigation into the death of Albert Ojwang’ who died in police custody at Central Police Station in Nairobi. Speaking on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Nyoro termed the incident as an example of growing intimidation and abuse of power by state officials.
Ojwang’s death has sparked public outrage and demands for justice from human rights groups and the public. According to his family, Ojwang’ was the only child of his parents. His father, a quarry worker, had worked for 20 years to put him through school, making the loss even more painful.
“One of our brothers died in a very unfortunate way and it’s even more unfortunate to hear the father say he was an only child,” Nyoro said during his press address. “What do you gain as a leader when you see those kinds of tears?”
Nyoro lambasted what he termed as a pattern of intimidation and abuse by public officials and law enforcement against ordinary Kenyans. “The things we have seen around the intimidation of Kenyans are not right and unfortunate,” he said. “The rights of Kenyans are clear in our constitution; it’s for you to read. If you don’t want Kenyans to talk about you then you have no business being there.”
He further noted that public office demands accountability and transparency, warning leaders who can’t handle public scrutiny to reconsider their positions. “If you don’t want your work to be part of the public domain then you have a choice to retire and be a private person,” Nyoro said.
Nyoro decried the lack of tolerance for criticism among some in government, describing the treatment of Ojwang’ as “animalistic”. He asked officials who instead of serving with humility resort to suppressing dissent. “When a young person talks about a certain office held by an individual, they are talking about it because you are the one holding the office. If you have thin skin and can’t take that then you exit,” he emphasized.
He also said transparency is key in such cases and accountability must be across the board. “As Kenyans we don’t want anyone to play with what we are going through in this country. Whatever happened must be open.”
Albert Ojwang’ passed away under ambiguous circumstances while in police custody, and minimal public information was offered by police authorities. Human rights organizations have increasingly expressed concern over police brutality, arbitrary detention, and custodial fatalities in Kenya.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has previously indicated systemic issues within law enforcement agencies, including slow investigations and lack of accountability in police abuses of power cases.
The Nairobi Central Police Station, where Ojwang’ was detained, has in the past come under criticism for its handling of detainees. Campaign groups are now again calling for immediate reforms in the form of publishing the names of officers involved in cases of alleged mistreatment.
Ndindi Nyoro’s comments echo increasing anger among citizens and officials about unrestrained police conduct and loss of civil rights. His call for the proper investigation pressures state institutions to offer transparency and justice in Ojwang’s case. So far, there has been no news from the police regarding any progress in the investigation. The public is seeking an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Ojwang and calls for action that will prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Ndindi Nyoro on Ojwang’s Death: If You Can’t Take Criticism, Quit Public Office