Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger from Homa Bay, Kenya, died in police custody after being accused of "false publication." Concerns have been raised about the treatment of government critics following his tragic passing.
Kenyan Teacher Dies in Police Custody Following Controversial Arrest
Kenyan Teacher Dies in Police Custody Following Controversial Arrest
An investigation is underway into the suspicious circumstances of Albert Ojwang's death after being detained for an alleged online insult.
Kenya's independent police oversight agency has initiated an investigation into the death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, who reportedly died in custody after being arrested for allegedly making a false publication online. Ojwang was apprehended in the town of Homa Bay and transported approximately 350 kilometers (about 220 miles) to Nairobi, according to statements from his father, Meshack Opiyo.
According to the police, Ojwang sustained head injuries after hitting his head against a wall in his cell. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The Kenyan branch of Amnesty International expressed deep concern over the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, urging for a thorough and independent investigation.
Police spokesperson Stephen Okal suggested that Ojwang may have attempted suicide while in custody, yet detailed charges related to the "false publication" remain unclear. Notably, Opiyo mentioned that the arresting officer indicated Ojwang had insulted a senior official on the social media platform known as X.
Amnesty's Kenya director, Irungu Houghton, emphasized the alarming nature of Ojwang’s detainment, noting that he was not processed at a local police station but taken on a lengthy journey instead. Houghton called for investigators to preserve the scene of the incident at the Nairobi police station.
Police maintain that Ojwang’s arrest was lawful, although his death raises significant concerns regarding the treatment of critics of the government. This incident comes amid increasing scrutiny over the treatment of dissenters, highlighted by the recent arrest of software developer Rose Njeri for allegedly breaching a cybercrime law when she developed a tool to contest a government financial bill.
