Kenyan prosecutors said Monday they were charging six people, including three police officers, with murder over the death of a teacher while in custody that has triggered protests. Albert Ojwang, 31, was found dead in a police cell in Nairobi earlier this month.
Police initially claimed he had taken his own life until government pathologists found he had been killed.
The case sparked rallies against police brutality – a long-running complaint in the east African country – which were met with tear gas and a mob of violent paid "goons" last week.
There was also outrage after an incident, witnessed by reporters from French news agency AFP and widely shared on social media, in which a police officer shot a bystander to the protests at point-blank range. He remains in critical condition in hospital.
Ojwang was initially arrested over allegedly criticising deputy police chief Eliud Lagat in online posts.
Violence erupts in Kenya as 'goons' attack protesters over death in police custody
Lagat has "stepped aside" during the investigation into Ojwang's death, but protesters have called for his full resignation and charges against him.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said on social media platform X that it had "approved murder charges against six individuals", including three officers and three other suspects, who were presented at Nairobi's Kibera High Court on Monday.
Anniversary of protests
Earlier this month, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority said 18 people had died in police custody in the past four months.
Ojwang's death comes at a sensitive time as Kenya marks the anniversary on Wednesday of massive Gen Z-led demonstrations against President William Ruto's government last year.
Kenya protests reignited by custody death, but ‘Gen Z' movement remains divided
On Monday, a government spokesperson said there would be "no protests" on 25 June, instead asking people to commemorate at home.
But last week, Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda told reporters his officers were prepared for protests, urging people to restrict themselves to "peaceful demonstrations".
(with AFP)
