An investigation has been initiated into the death of Albert Ojwang, a Kenyan teacher and blogger, who died in custody after being arrested for a social media post. Concerns regarding police conduct and government repression of dissent are growing amid calls for thorough investigation.
Inquiry Launched After Kenyan Man Dies in Police Custody Linked to Social Media Post
Inquiry Launched After Kenyan Man Dies in Police Custody Linked to Social Media Post
Albert Ojwang's death while in police custody raises alarm about government treatment of critics.
Kenya's independent police oversight body has announced it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Albert Ojwang, a man who died shortly after his arrest for allegedly making "false publications" on social media. Ojwang, who is reported to be a teacher and blogger, was taken into custody in Homa Bay and transported 350 kilometers (220 miles) to Nairobi, as stated by his father, Meshack Opiyo.
According to a police statement, Ojwang suffered serious head injuries after reportedly hitting his head against a wall while in custody. He was later rushed to the hospital but was declared dead upon arrival. Amnesty International's director in Kenya described the situation as "very suspicious" and called for an urgent and independent inquiry into the incident.
Senior police official Stephen Okal claimed to local media that the cause of the injuries may have been an attempted suicide, but details surrounding the charge of "false publication" remain unclear. Opiyo relayed that the arresting officer had accused Ojwang of insulting a high-ranking official on the platform X (formerly Twitter).
Amnesty's Kenya director, Irungu Houghton, expressed shock that Ojwang was not processed at a nearby police station but was instead taken on a lengthy journey. He urged independent investigators to preserve the scene at the Nairobi police station where Ojwang was held. The police have defended the legality of the arrest, which comes amidst growing apprehension over the treatment of dissenters by the government in Kenya. Recently, software developer Rose Njeri faced charges related to a cybercrime law after developing a tool to challenge government actions.
