Outrage in Kenya Following Murder Charges Against Police in Blogger's Death

The tragic death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old blogger, while in police custody has led to the arrest and charging of three officers in Kenya, sparking public outrage and protests demanding justice.

Three police officers in Kenya have been charged with the murder of a 31-year-old blogger, Albert Ojwang, whose death in police custody earlier this month has ignited national outrage. The charges come after Ojwang was arrested following a complaint of defamation lodged against him by Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat, who claimed the blogger had undermined his reputation on social media. Lagat has since stepped aside while investigations are ongoing, maintaining his innocence.

The officers — Samson Kiprotich, Talaam James Mukhwana, and Peter Kimani — are also facing charges alongside three civilians. All six individuals appeared in court on Monday, but no pleas have been entered as yet. Initial police claims suggested that Ojwang's death resulted from self-inflicted wounds; however, this narrative was quickly retracted after an autopsy revealed he likely died from physical assault.

The situation escalated following a protest in Nairobi against Ojwang's death, during which a street vendor named Boniface Kariuki was critically injured after a police officer shot him at close range while he was selling masks. This act of violence has intensified demands from activists for a "total shutdown" of the economy to mark the anniversary of violent police actions against peaceful protesters last year.

As more citizens join the call for accountability and justice, the movement has become a broader critique of violence and abuse by police forces in Kenya, highlighting a pressing need for systemic reform.