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Outrage Grows In Kenya Over Blogger's Death In Police Custody

Police fired tear gas on Thursday in Nairobi's Central Business District to disperse protesters who had gathered to demand justice for Albert Ojwang, the social media influencer who was found dead in police custody. The protesters carried placards with messages like #JusticeForOjwang

After the conduct of an autopsy, lead pathologist Bernard Midia said Albert Ojwang's injuries were externally inflicted and ruled out suicide.

"The pattern of the injury, especially on the trauma I found on the head, hitting against a blunt substance like a wall would have a pattern," Midia said, pointing out that Ojwang's injuries also showed signs of struggle.

Ojwang was arrested on June 7 and charged with "cyber harassment" after critical posts he made about Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

There have been growing concerns by local and international stakeholders about the government's handling of dissent.

Boniface Mwangi/Instagram

Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi shared this post on his Instagram account: Albert Ojwang has been silenced forever by Ruto’s regime. Just a month ago, he was overjoyed after becoming a father. Albert was a teacher who was using his social media platforms to fight for a better Kenya. DCI officers picked him up from his house in Homa Bay and then drove more than 350 km away to Nairobi, where they ended up murdering him inside a cold holding cell at the Central Police Station. And what crime did he commit to deserve being killed? He is alleged to have accused Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Langat of collecting bribes amounting to Ksh 100 million every month. We all know that's possible because the Kenya Police force is one of the most corrupt institutions in Kenya. Every day, young people are arrested for loitering, vagrancy, touting, being drunk and disorderly, smoking bhang, not carrying an ID, or even just daring to breathe in the presence of extortionist cops. They are then forced to pay bribes at police stations to secure their freedom, with those who fail to pay appearing in court on trumped-up charges. The money collected from them is shared among police officers and their seniors. If Langat is collecting that kind of money, those bribes must be reaching his boss, Kanja, and their godfather, Mr Ruto. Ruto is the king of ruin - he would rather burn Kenya to the ground and rule over the ashes. We shall not allow one sociopath to destroy the country so that he can he feel warm. We shall protect and defend Kenya from a murderous, greedy president who doesn't respect the rule of law or even the taxpayers who pay his fat salary. #endpolicebrutality #justiceforalbertojwang #justice4albertojwang #rutomustgo #NeverForgetKE #fagiawote #mwanzompya #justice4ourmashujaaz

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