The death of my only child at the Central Police Station in Nairobi has deprived me of all the hopes I had in life.

These are the words of Eucabeth Adhiambo Ojwang’, the mother of Albert Omondi Ojwang’, who died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody.

Grief-stricken and with tears rolling down her cheeks, Eucabeth has not known peace since learning of her son’s death on Sunday.

When she met a team of journalists at her home in Kakoth Village, Kokwanyo Location, Rachuonyo East Sub-county, she portrayed the heartbreak of a mother who had lost a child in whom she had placed all her hopes.

She vividly recalled how a group of police officers arrested her son on Sunday while the family was having lunch.

According to Eucabeth, the officers claimed Albert had posted information on social media platform X that allegedly tainted the reputation of a senior police officer. He was initially detained at Mawego Police Station before being transferred to Nairobi.

Concerned, Eucabeth and other family members went to the station to seek more information about the arrest.

A relative was instructed to return home and fetch a sweater for Albert, as he was being taken to the colder Nairobi climate.

The six officers who arrested Albert reportedly boarded a vehicle with private registration plates at the police station.

“The police assured us that Albert was in safe hands and that no harm would come to him,” said Eucabeth. “That reassurance made us leave, comforted that our son was safe.”

Eucabeth had expected her son to return home unharmed.

What shocked the family, however, was the news that Albert had been pronounced dead—while still in those very “safe hands.”

Now, Eucabeth is questioning the manner in which her son was handled by the police, insisting he did not deserve to die.

“My son should have been subjected to the criminal justice system. There is no crime he committed that warranted his death,” she said.

Eucabeth added that Albert, a graduate of Pwani University in 2022, had never been involved in any cybercrime.

“He was a disciplined boy. We do not understand the nature of the crime that led to his death.”

She described her son’s death as a major setback to the family.

“I struggled through thick and thin to educate my son throughout his university studies. I had high hopes that he would transform our family. Today, I am a heartbroken mother. My only child is gone!”

Albert had just begun a project at home to plant tree seedlings and vegetables before his life was tragically cut short.

His uncle, Mr Herman Opiyo, said the arrest had caused lasting emotional damage to the family.

“It is heartbreaking that what started as a normal arrest has ended in death. It is truly tragic.”

The family is now appealing to the Interior Principal Secretary, Dr Raymond Omollo, to intervene and help them pursue justice.

“We are calling for justice to prevail in Albert’s death,” said Opiyo.

Another uncle, Mr Joseph Okumu, said the family had fully cooperated with the police during the arrest and had not tried to obstruct the process.

“We suspect he was killed, and that is unacceptable. We expected him to go through the normal legal process. His death is a serious violation of our family’s rights,” Okumu said.

Albert was eulogised as a diligent young man who was committed to building a better future.