Kenya: Blogger’s Death in Police Custody Sparks National Outcry and Presidential Response

 The death of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody has ignited widespread protests and triggered a rare public admission of police misconduct by President William Ruto.

Ojwang, a 31-year-old schoolteacher and father of one, was taken into custody last Saturday in Homa Bay, western Kenya, following a formal complaint filed by Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat. According to Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the complaint was based on alleged defamatory content posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Unlike previous cases involving the abduction of political activists by suspected security operatives, Ojwang was initially treated with unusual transparency. Officers who arrived at his home on motorcycles conducted themselves calmly, and even shared their contact details with family members.

“When they came, they were so soft. They were not violent,” recalled Ojwang’s wife, Nevnine Onyango. “So that gave me even more confidence.”

However, her confidence was short-lived. The following morning, the family received devastating news—Ojwang was dead.

His death has since become a focal point for national outrage, especially among Kenya’s youth, who are still reeling from last year’s mass protests against proposed tax hikes—demonstrations that resulted in the deaths of over 60 civilians. This week, hundreds returned to the streets of Nairobi, torching vehicles and facing off with police, citing Ojwang’s death as proof that little had changed.

Authorities initially suggested that Ojwang died by suicide. However, an autopsy later revealed evidence consistent with assault, including a head injury, neck compression, and soft tissue trauma. This led to a significant shift in the official narrative.

President Ruto, addressing the nation on Wednesday, called the death “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” stating clearly that Ojwang “died at the hands of the police.”

So far, three individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident: the officer in charge of the Nairobi police station where Ojwang was found dead, a police constable, and a CCTV technician stationed there. The National Crime Agency declined to provide additional details, stating only that the incident involved “a couple of individuals” and does not reflect the broader police service.

Ojwang’s social media accounts have since been deactivated, and it remains unclear what specific content drew the attention of authorities. IPOA’s investigation revealed that the initial probe—based on Deputy Chief Lagat’s complaint—led to the arrest of another blogger, who reportedly identified Ojwang during questioning.

Onyango said officers accused her husband of making “remarks” about their superior’s alleged corruption, though they did not disclose who that superior was.

The family’s last contact with Ojwang came at 9 p.m. on the day of his arrest. He phoned his wife from Nairobi’s Central Police Station, sounding anxious and asking if she could travel to the city.

Now, as IPOA continues its inquiry, Onyango and many others are demanding justice.

“We always saw these kinds of things on television, and now it has reached my door,” she said. “These people are supposed to protect us. They’re not supposed to harm us.”