Villagers say Albert Ojwang was committed to economic development

A sombre mood continues to engulf the home of slain teacher Albert Ojwang as close neighbours and relatives recounted how the deceased was committed to transforming his family from a humble background.

Elisha Okumu, a livestock trader in Kakoth village, Homa Bay County, said Albert was committed to promoting development in his family.

Okumu said Albert gave him money with which he used to buy six goats for him at Nyakwere market a few months ago.

About two weeks before Albert’s death, he had started planning to buy more goats.

“Albert was my friend on the basis of development. The last time I met him, he had hinted to me that he was planning to buy more goats, which he wanted me to buy for him in Oyugis market. Unfortunately, he died before giving me the money for buying them,” Okumu said.

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Okumu described Albert as a man who was going to create positive changes in his family.

“The idea of keeping livestock at Albert’s age showed that he was development-oriented. In fact, he was going to transform lives in his family,” Okumu said.

Daniel Ochieng, a shopkeeper at Lida market, described Albert’s death as a setback to their village, too.

“At his age, he was not only a man of the family but a man of the entire village,” Ochieng said.

He said Albert showed a serious commitment to success in life despite hailing from a humble background.

“Albert hailed from a humble background, but he was committed to putting all possible efforts in place for success in life,” Ochieng said.

Ochieng questioned why Albert had to be killed.

“Which crime did Albert commit that warranted his death? He was killed, yet even the death sentence does not apply in Kenyan law today,” Ochieng said.

He argued that Albert ought not to have been killed.

“They should have taken him to court and followed the criminal justice system. His murder was wrong,” Ochieng added. 

On Sunday, tears flew freely as relatives and neighbours welcomed Meshack Ojwang, the father of the deceased, back home after he arrived from Nairobi.

Yesterday, a section of leaders led by Governor Gladys Wanga and Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara visited Meshack's family to condole with them.

Obara said that those who are responsible for the murder must be brought to book.

However, she cautioned her fellow politicians from taking advantage of the murder to settle scores with any opponents.

"We want peace, but justice must be found," she says.

Wanga said that they will not relent until justice is found for the family.

The governor presented a Sh1 million donation from ODM leader Raila Odinga and Sh2 million from President William Ruto.

Meanwhile, secondary school teachers and students in Taita Taveta County have joined other Kenyans in demanding justice for the late teacher and internet influencer Albert Ojwang.

Speaking during a demonstration in Mwatate town yesterday, the teachers and students demanded that heads must roll.

Led by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education teachers (Kuppet) branch Executive Secretary Ismael Omoke and chairman David Kosgei, the teachers continued demanding the arrest and prosecution of key suspects of the brutal murder.

The deceased had a brief stint in the county last year. After his graduation from Pwani University, Ojwang was employed as a teacher by the Board of Management (BOM) at Kituma Secondary School in Mwatate Sub County in 2024.

“We are calling on them to resign and be arraigned in court, and taken to Manyani Security or Shimo La Tewa Prisons. We can be visiting them and know they are paying the price for what they did to our colleague,” stated Omoke.

“We have taught together, played rugby together as colleagues, and the perpetrators have killed someone who has taught their children, a cousin, or grandchildren. So, we demand justice for Albert Ojwang, teacher at Kituma Secondary School,” added Kosgei.

Omoke said they have joined other Kenyans in demanding the immediate arrest of the brutal killers of our former colleagues. “The family of the slain must get justice,” he stated.

The teachers said that, despite getting the temporary job, the late Ojwang still continued with his online influence.

And in some instances, he used to skip classes to continue with social media as a side hustle to not only complement the low pay but also support his parents in Homa Bay County.

According to Kuppet, Ojwang was teaching Kiswahili and Christian Religious Education (CRE) after graduating from Pwani University with a Bachelor's Degree in Education.

Omoke confirmed yesterday that the deceased teacher-cum prominent online influencer temporarily worked at Kituma Secondary school for two terms in 2024.

He thereafter resigned and left for greener pastures elsewhere, he revealed.

The union official told The Standard that the former teacher could skip classes for a week and engage in his social media activities, which, according to him, was his passion and a lucrative venture.

“The deceased had a passion for social media, and reports from the school indicate that he was, in most cases, out from school. He used to stay for a week outside without going to teach,” revealed Omoke.

The union official said they had not heard of him after leaving the county until the sad news broke about his untimely death on Monday.