Three Police Officers Charged with Murder of Kenyan Blogger in Custody Death

Three police officers in Kenya are facing murder charges related to the suspicious death of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody earlier this month. His arrest stemmed from accusations by Kenya's deputy police chief Eliud Lagat regarding defamation on social media. Mounting public outrage has led to protests across the country, demanding justice for Ojwang.

The officers involved—Samson Kiprotich, Talaam James Mukhwana, and Peter Kimani—along with three civilians, appeared in court, though they have not yet entered pleas. Initial police claims that Ojwang's death was due to self-inflicted wounds were disputed following an autopsy indicating fatal assault injuries. The situation escalated after a street vendor, Boniface Kariuki, was shot during protests in Nairobi, exacerbating anger over police brutality. As activism intensifies, organizers are planning a "total shutdown" of the economy to commemorate the anniversary of police violence against anti-tax protesters. The unrest has highlighted the ongoing issue of police brutality in Kenya, leading to increasing calls for transparency and reform in law enforcement practices.