Mawego Police Station arson suspects charged with terrorism

Mourners escorting the body of slain teacher Albert Ojwang at their home Mawego, Homa Bay County. [Michael Mute, Standard]

Eight people linked to the torching of Mawego Police Station in Rachonyo North Sub-County, Homa Bay, have been charged with terrorism.

The eight, Kennedy Oluoch, Nicholas Otieno, Tofiq Owiti Mohamed, Michael Omondi, David Otieno, Robert Ouko, Samuel Ouma and Erick Obunga were on Tuesday presented before Kahawa Law Court where they faced three counts under the Terrorism Act.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the suspects were accused of committing a terrorism act, arson and malicious damage to a police station contrary to the Penal code.

The eight were part of angry mourners that stormed into the Mawego police station and razed down some buildings in anger after the body of slain teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang’ arrived from Nairobi.

The police station was used to temporarily detain Ojwang before he was taken to Central Police Station in Nairobi, where he was killed while in custody.

And as the family ferried the body home, angry mourners forcefully removed Ojwang's coffin from the limousine that was carrying him and marched to the police station.

At the time of the incident, there were no police officers in sight after six police officers who were at the station fled as the huge mob approached.

Appearing before Kahawa Senior Principal Magistrate (SPM) Richard Koech, the accused however denied all the charges leveled against them.

The DCI said the accused had been detained under custodial orders issued by the Oyugis Law Court but later released.

“They were re-arrested on July 14, 2025, following closure of the miscellaneous application, and subsequently transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) headquarters in Nairobi, for arraignment under the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 30 of 2012, along with additional offences under the Penal Code,” the DCI wrote on its X account (formerly Twitter).

“All the suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution opposed the granting of bond, an application that was contested by the defence,” the DCI noted.

The trial magistrate scheduled the matter for mention on July 22, 2025, for a bond ruling.

In the meantime, the accused have are being remanded at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.