An investigation has been launched into the death of Albert Ojwang, a Kenyan teacher and blogger, who died in custody after being arrested for an alleged false publication online. The circumstances surrounding his arrest and subsequent death have prompted calls for an independent inquiry into police practices and the treatment of government critics.
Kenyan Teacher Dies in Custody Following Controversial Arrest
Kenyan Teacher Dies in Custody Following Controversial Arrest
Albert Ojwang's death raises serious concerns about police conduct and freedom of expression in Kenya.
Kenya's independent police oversight body is now investigating the death of Albert Ojwang, who was taken into custody for making a "false publication" on social media. Ojwang, described by his father as a teacher and blogger from Homa Bay, was arrested and reportedly driven 350 kilometers (about 220 miles) to Nairobi. While in custody, police indicated that he sustained injuries after hitting his head against a cell wall. He was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The director of Amnesty International's Kenya branch characterized Ojwang's death as "very suspicious," calling for a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding it. Reports indicate that Ojwang was detained for allegedly insulting a prominent figure online, but the specific charge remains unclear. Senior police official Stephen Okal suggested to a local newspaper that the incident may have been an "attempted suicide."
Amnesty's Kenya director, Irungu Houghton, criticized the police protocol, noting the troubling decision to transport Ojwang over such a long distance without a proper booking at a local station. He urged the independent investigators to secure what he described as "the crime scene" at the Nairobi police station where Ojwang died. In response to his death, the police maintain that the arrest was lawful.
This incident adds to a growing list of concerns regarding how government critics are treated in Kenya. Just recently, software developer Rose Njeri was charged for creating a tool aimed at opposing a government finance bill, highlighting a trend of escalating tensions between state authorities and individuals expressing dissent through digital platforms.
