Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, died in custody following his arrest for allegedly insulting a senior official on social media. Rights groups are calling for a thorough investigation amid rising concerns regarding the treatment of government critics.
Suspicious Death in Kenyan Police Custody Sparks Investigation
Suspicious Death in Kenyan Police Custody Sparks Investigation
The death of a man detained for online criticism raises serious concerns over police practices in Kenya.
Kenya's independent police oversight authority has initiated an investigation into the death of a man who was arrested for what police termed "false publication." Albert Ojwang, noted in reports as both a teacher and a blogger, was apprehended in Homa Bay before being transported 350 kilometers (220 miles) to the capital city of Nairobi, according to his father, Meshack Opiyo.
Reports indicate that Ojwang sustained head injuries while in custody after allegedly colliding with a wall in his cell, as per a police statement. He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival. The incident has been deemed "very suspicious" by the Kenyan director of the human rights organization Amnesty International, who emphasized the need for a prompt, thorough independent inquiry.
Stephen Okal, a senior police officer, suggested the injuries were self-inflicted, labeling the situation an "attempted suicide." Although details regarding the accusation of "false publication" remain vague, Mr. Opiyo revealed to Citizen Digital that the arresting officer implied that "Albert had insulted a senior person on X," referring to the popular social media platform.
Amnesty International's director in Kenya, Irungu Houghton, expressed profound concern regarding the manner of Ojwang's treatment, emphasizing the unexpectedness of not being booked locally after his arrest but instead being subjected to an extensive journey. Houghton has urged independent investigators to secure what he described as "the crime scene" at the Nairobi police station.
Despite the police asserting that Ojwang’s arrest was lawful, the circumstances surrounding his detention and subsequent death come amidst an escalating climate of anxiety regarding the treatment of dissenters by the government. This incident follows the recent case of Rose Njeri, a software developer who faced charges under a cybercrime law for creating a tool aimed at challenging a government finance bill.
