Outrage Grows as Kenyan Police Charged with Murder of Blogger

The recent murder charges against three police officers in Kenya have ignited public outrage, with allegations of police brutality intensifying amid calls for justice for Albert Ojwang.

Three police officers in Kenya are facing murder charges following the death of a 31-year-old blogger, Albert Ojwang, who reportedly died in police custody earlier this month. Ojwang's arrest stemmed from allegations made by Kenya's deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat, who accused the blogger of defaming him on social media. In light of the outrage sparked by Ojwang's death, Mr. Lagat has temporarily stepped aside while investigations take place, denying any wrongdoing in the case.

The charged officers—Samson Kiprotich, Talaam James Mukhwana, and Peter Kimani—were presented in court alongside three civilians. They have yet to enter a plea. Initial police reports claimed that Ojwang succumbed to self-inflicted wounds; however, an autopsy contradicted this narrative, indicating he likely died from injuries sustained from an assault.

The controversy escalated when protests erupted in Nairobi, leading to a street vendor, Boniface Kariuki, being shot by a police officer while selling masks, which further fueled public anger. Activists have planned a “total shutdown” of the economy as they intensify calls against police violence, coinciding with the anniversary of a previous incident involving police firing on protesters against tax hikes.