Kenyan Police Under Fire After Death Of Detained Blogger
Kenya’s independent police oversight body has launched an investigation into the death of Albert Ojwang, a man detained for allegedly publishing false information on 𝕏 (formery Twitter). According to his father, Meshack Opiyo, Ojwang was arrested for a social media post in Homa Bay and driven 350km to Nairobi.
The circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death are under scrutiny. A police statement claims he sustained head injuries while in custody after hitting his head against a cell wall. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Amnesty International’s Kenya director, Irungu Houghton, has expressed concerns about the case, describing Ojwang’s death as “very suspicious.” The organization is calling for an urgent, thorough, and independent investigation. Houghton also finds it “quite shocking” that Ojwang was not booked at the local police station but instead taken on a long journey.
The police have said Ojwang was lawfully arrested, with Senior Officer Stephen Okal suggesting the incident was an “attempted suicide.” However, Ojwang’s father reported that the arresting officer claimed his son had insulted a senior person online.
This incident raises concerns about the treatment of government critics in Kenya. Recently, software developer Rose Njeri was charged with violating a cybercrime law after creating a tool to oppose a government finance bill, highlighting growing tensions.
