I love you. See you soon.
These were the last words of Albert Ojwang to his wife, Nevnina Onyango, the night he was killed.
For the first time, Ojwang’s widow lift the lid of their relationship, narrating how they first met and how her life has changed since then.
This was during the requiem mass of the slain teacher in Nairobi. A somber mood was witnessed as his relatives, friends and colleagues converged at Ridgeways Baptist in his honor.
One after the other, Ojwang’s relatives tearfully shared their tributes, describing him as a man who deeply loved and cared for his family.
The heartfelt tributes, marked with momentary silences, outbursts of tears and heavy sighs laid bare the deep sorrow buried in the hearts of the teacher’s kin.
Nevnina spoke about the weight of Albert’s death on the family, and on her as the remaining parent of their two-year-old child. “He actually doesn’t know what’s going on,” she said, followed by a deep sigh. “It’s heavy.”
Describing him as an amazing father and husband, she narrated how Albert encouraged her to be bold and wants to lean on that strength to support her family. “I want to be strong because he always told me to be courageous. I don’t know if you can hear me. Albert I love you so much.” She said.
Albert’s mother, Eucabeth Ojwang, wept as she recounted how police officers took her son from their family home in Homa Bay just after she had finished preparing lunch. “He didn’t even take a bite,” said Mrs Ojwang, as the police denied him what would have been the last meal with his family.
Mrs Ojwang remembered how Albert trembled at the sight of the police, prompting her to ask if he had gotten himself in trouble with the authorities. “I have done nothing wrong,” perhaps the last words she heard from her son before the police took him away as the blogger was found dead in a cell at Nairobi Central Police Station the following day.
Albert would often call to inquire about the welfare of his parents when he was working hundreds of kilometers away from home in Malindi. To be certain they were okay, “he would still send money for food even if I told him we had eaten,” said Mrs Ojwang.
The blogger’s father, Meshack Ojwang, who has narrated his son’s ordeal through the media several times, spoke briefly this time. He turned to the Bible for strength and to warn those responsible for Albert’s death
He first quoted the book of Proverbs 21:1-3, but emphasized the third verse: “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” He then went on to narrate the story of Cain and Abel, which is found in the fourth chapter of the book of Genesis.
“I learned from Abel’s story that the shedding of innocent blood brings suffering.” He said. “I want to tell those who commit murder recklessly that they will not have peace. Just like the blood of Abel which cried to God, the blood of Albert also speaks.”
Mr Ojwang thanked Kenyans for supporting his family and asked for prayers ahead of the burial on Friday. “We cannot do this alone. We need prayers, especially after the burial, because then, we will be left alone,” he said.
I love you. See you soon.
These were the last words of Albert Ojwang to his wife, Nevnina Onyango, the night he was killed.
For the first time, Ojwang’s widow lift the lid of their relationship, narrating how they first met and how her life has changed since then.
This was during the requiem mass of the slain teacher in Nairobi. A somber mood was witnessed as his relatives, friends and colleagues converged at Ridgeways Baptist in his honor.
One after the other, Ojwang’s relatives tearfully
shared their tributes
, describing him as a man who deeply loved and cared for his family.
The heartfelt tributes, marked with momentary silences, outbursts of tears and heavy sighs laid bare the deep sorrow buried in the hearts of the teacher’s kin.
Nevnina spoke about the weight of Albert’s death on the family, and on her as the remaining parent of their two-year-old child. “He actually doesn’t know what’s going on,” she said, followed by a deep sigh. “It’s heavy.”
Describing him as an amazing father and husband, she narrated how Albert encouraged her to be bold and wants to lean on that strength to support her family. “I want to be strong because he always told me to be courageous. I don’t know if you can hear me. Albert I love you so much.” She said.
Albert’s mother, Eucabeth Ojwang, wept as she recounted how police officers took her son from their family home in Homa Bay just after she had finished preparing lunch. “He didn’t even take a bite,” said Mrs Ojwang, as the police denied him what would have been the last meal with his family.
Mrs Ojwang remembered how Albert trembled at the sight of the police, prompting her to ask if he had gotten himself in trouble with the authorities. “I have done nothing wrong,” perhaps the last words she heard from her son before the police took him away as the blogger
was found dead
in a cell at Nairobi Central Police Station the following day.
Albert would often call to inquire about the welfare of his parents when he was working hundreds of kilometers away from home in Malindi. To be certain they were okay, “he would still send money for food even if I told him we had eaten,” said Mrs Ojwang.
The blogger’s father, Meshack Ojwang, who has narrated his son’s ordeal through the media several times, spoke briefly this time. He turned to the Bible for strength and to warn those responsible for Albert’s death
He first quoted the book of Proverbs 21:1-3, but emphasized the third verse: “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” He then went on to narrate the story of Cain and Abel, which is found in the fourth chapter of the book of Genesis.
“I learned from Abel’s story that the shedding of innocent blood brings suffering.” He said. “I want to tell those who commit murder recklessly that they will not have peace. Just like the blood of Abel which cried to God, the blood of Albert also speaks.”
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Mr Ojwang thanked Kenyans for supporting his family and asked for prayers ahead of the burial on Friday. “We cannot do this alone. We need prayers, especially after the burial, because then, we will be left alone,” he said.
By Killiad Sinide