Albert Ojwang died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly insulting a senior official on social media. His family and human rights advocates are demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Suspicious Circumstances Surround Death of Kenyan Blogger in Police Custody
Suspicious Circumstances Surround Death of Kenyan Blogger in Police Custody
An investigation has been launched into the death of Albert Ojwang, a detained teacher and blogger, raising concerns over police conduct and the treatment of government critics.
Kenyan authorities are facing scrutiny following the death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger who died in custody shortly after his arrest for "false publication." The independent police oversight body in Kenya has initiated an investigation into the 31-year-old's death, which has prompted widespread outrage.
Ojwang was apprehended in Homa Bay, western Kenya, and subsequently transported approximately 350 kilometers (about 220 miles) to the national capital, Nairobi. According to statements from his father, Meshack Opiyo, the police reported that Ojwang sustained head injuries while in custody, claiming he hit his head against a cell wall. He ultimately succumbed to these injuries, being declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Amnesty International's Kenyan director called Ojwang's death "very suspicious," urging for an independent and comprehensive investigation due to the unusual circumstances of his detention. The human rights organization highlighted the need to secure the scene at the Nairobi police station where Ojwang was taken, emphasizing that the long transfer raised serious ethical concerns regarding police conduct.
Reports suggest the charge of "false publication" was linked to disparaging remarks Ojwang allegedly made towards a high-ranking official on the platform X (formerly Twitter). Senior police officer Stephen Okal controversially stated that he believed Ojwang was attempting to take his own life in the cell, a claim that has been met with skepticism.
The case comes amid increasing concerns over how the Kenyan government treats dissenters. Only a week prior, a software developer named Rose Njeri, who developed a tool to challenge a controversial financial bill, was charged under cybercrime laws, shedding light on a growing pattern of repression against those who voice opposition to the government.
