A Kenyan blogger and teacher has died for expressing freedom of speech. On June 7, the Kenyan police arrested political commentator Albert Ojwang following a complaint from the police, who accused him of damaging their reputation on social media. Albert died just a few hours after being detained. The Kenyan police claim his death was self-inflicted, stating that he injured himself by banging his head against the wall in his cell, but his family disagreed.
Albert’s family and supporters are not buying what the police are selling. According to the family’s lawyer, Julius Juma, the police have failed to explain the real cause of Albert’s death, why his body had multiple injuries on his head, hands, and shoulders and his head was severely swollen.
The autopsy of Albert Ojwang conducted on June 10 revealed that he died from severe head injuries, neck compression, and multiple soft tissue injuries consistent with assault, contradicting the initial police report that suggested his death in custody was a suicide. Albert Ojwang leaves behind a wife and daughter.
Protesters filled the streets of Nairobi, outraged by the death of a blogger who was arrested by police last week. Meanwhile, the national police watchdog revealed that 20 people have died in custody in the past four months.
President William Ruto, under growing pressure, said on Wednesday that Ojwang died “at the hands of the police,” changing the earlier official story. Ruto has often promised to end police killings and disappearances, but human rights groups say his government is hiding many such crimes by the security forces.
On June 12, the Kenyan government arrested a police constable in the death of a political blogger who was in custody. But the protest continues, demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
