Widespread Outrage and Protests Erupt in Kenya Following Suspicious Death of Blogger Albert Ojwang in Police Custody
Nairobi, Kenya – A wave of anger and protests is sweeping across Kenya following the highly suspicious death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station. Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and social media influencer, was arrested on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Homa Bay, western Kenya, following a complaint by Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, who accused Ojwang of tarnishing his name on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Instead of being processed at a local police station, Ojwang was subjected to a lengthy 400-kilometer (248-mile) transfer to Nairobi, where he was booked into the Central Police Station on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Police initially claimed Ojwang “sustained head injuries after hitting his head against a cell wall” and was found unconscious during a routine inspection, later pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital.
However, a post-mortem examination conducted on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, has cast serious doubt on the official police narrative. Pathologist Bernard Midia revealed that Ojwang died as a result of a head injury and neck compression, with multiple soft tissue injuries spread across his body, including his face, back, sides of the head, upper limbs, and trunk. Dr. Midia explicitly stated that the bleeding patterns and the widespread nature of the injuries were inconsistent with self-infliction, indicating they were likely caused by external forces. Signs of struggle were also noted, with tissue samples collected for further forensic analysis.
Ojwang’s family, represented by lawyer Julius Juma, has vehemently rejected the police’s explanation, pointing to the severe physical trauma on his body. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Kenya and KICTANet, have swiftly condemned the death, calling for a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation. They argue that Ojwang’s arrest itself raises serious questions, particularly the decision to transport him such a long distance instead of processing him locally.
In response to mounting public pressure and widespread online outrage, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja announced on Monday, June 9, 2025, that all officers on duty at the Central Police Station during Ojwang’s detention, including senior officers, have been “interdicted.” This means they are barred from active duty and will receive half-pay pending the outcome of the investigation. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an inquiry, with IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Isaack Hassan pledging to ensure accountability.
Despite these actions, skepticism remains high among activists and citizens. Protests, where police have used tear gas to disperse crowds, erupted in Nairobi, with demonstrators marching to the Central Police Station and chanting “Stop killing us.” Activists like Ndungi Githuku from the People’s Liberation Party highlighted that this incident occurs nearly a year after several activists were killed or abducted during finance bill protests in 2024, emphasizing that “nothing was resolved out of the protests that we had. We have freedom that is half baked.”
Hussein Khalid from Vocal Africa, a human rights organization, expressed distrust, stating, “Until now they (Kenya Police) have not told us the truth. We know there were more injuries. They have decided to sacrifice junior officers. We want justice for Ojwang and many others who have lost their lives.” The death of Albert Ojwang is reigniting a critical national conversation about police brutality, accountability, freedom of expression, and the treatment of government critics in Kenya.
Sources:
- BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy3eqpqqnzo
- AP News: https://apnews.com/article/kenya-blogger-dead-police-custody-protest-7adfd1284d119632552afc0162410e5b
- Africanews: https://www.africanews.com/2025/06/09/kenyan-blogger-dies-in-police-custody-officers-suspended/
- KBC Digital: https://www.kbc.co.ke/nyando-mp-seeks-statement-on-death-of-albert-ojwang/
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