Kisumu teachers under the banner of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) staged a defiant protest on Friday in the city’s Central Business District, condemning what they termed the “gruesome and inhumane” killing of their colleague, Albert Ojwang.
Ojwang, a teacher, was allegedly arrested at his father’s home in Homa Bay, driven nearly 400 kilometres to Nairobi, and later tortured to death in a police cell at Central Police Station. His death has sparked national outrage, with the teaching fraternity now calling for the immediate resignation of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Lagat.
Leading the protests, KUPPET Kisumu Executive Secretary Zablon Awange gave the government a strict ultimatum either Lagat resigns by Monday, or teachers will boycott classes countrywide.
“We are saying that the government cannot take us for a ride. The police spokesperson who claimed that Albert Ojwang committed suicide by hitting his head on a cell wall must also be arrested. Justice must not only be done it must be seen to be done,” Awange told reporters during the heated demonstration.
Awange accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of being “rotten to the core,” adding that teachers will not carry the burden of a regime “dripping in blood.”
“President Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Raila Odinga this government is rotten. We denounce the Kenya Kwanza administration. We demand justice for the father, mother, wife, and child of the late Albert Omondi Ojwang,” Awange declared.
Joining the outrage was Kisumu Young Teachers Association founder, Scott Erick Jack, who demanded that DIG Lagat step down or face the wrath of teachers across the country.
“If by Monday Lagat has not resigned, then no child including his will be taught. Akelo Misori, we are calling on you to declare a nationwide strike,” said Scott, referencing the KUPPET Secretary-General.
KUPPET Kisumu Vice Chairperson Carol Awili also weighed in during the emotionally charged presser, describing Ojwang’s killing as a betrayal of the very ideals the nation was founded upon.
“What happened to Ojwang should not happen to anyone. What our forefathers fought for is being desecrated. We want Lagat to step aside and every officer involved arrested. We want to see heads roll, or we will not stop protesting,” she said.
The teachers’ union joins a growing national chorus demanding justice and accountability in what is quickly becoming one of Kenya’s most politically sensitive cases involving alleged police brutality and cover-up.
