Anger is mounting in Kenya following the death of Albert Ojwang whilst in custody. The activist was arrested on Saturday, subsequent to a complaint from the police, who accused him of damaging their reputation on social media. Activists have taken to the streets in protest, as Kenya approaches the one-year anniversary of daily uprisings against government corruption and tax reforms.
Albert Ojwang died just a few hours after his arrest. He had been detained for allegedly criticising the police on his blog and social media.
According to the police, he injured himself by banging his head against the wall in his cell—an official explanation that his family and supporters strongly dispute.
His autopsy was initially scheduled for Monday but was postponed and is now set for Tuesday.
The results are eagerly awaited. Ojwang’s father has been waiting for hours at the morgue, according to one of RFI's correspondents in Kenya. He finds the police’s version of events unconvincing, and many questions remain.
Julius Juma, the family’s lawyer, told the press: “We do not yet know the exact cause of Albert’s death or who is responsible. If he was arrested for the reasons given, why was he placed in solitary confinement? Why are we being told he hit his head against the wall? His body showed numerous injuries—to his head, hands, and shoulders. His head was completely swollen.”
Several human rights activists also gathered at the morgue to demand justice for Ojwang.
Hussein Khalid, head of the human rights group Vocal Africa, spent the day there and told RFI: “We say: ‘enough is enough’. We have lost too many lives at the hands of the police. Whatever the circumstances, no one should die in police custody.”
Protests in Nairobi
A protest march began in the capital, Nairobi, on Monday, near the Central Police Station where Ojwang died while in custody.
Some protesters clashed with the police after officers used tear gas on activists twice.
Police claoim that Ojwang was found unconscious in his cell and taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
All officers present that night have been suspended to facilitate the investigation. The police department announced that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority has launched an investigation.
Officers who were on duty when Ojwang died in custody will also not be returning to work while they await the outcome of investigations, said police Inspector-General Douglas Kanja.
Many remain skeptical of the proceedings however.
“Until now they have not told us the truth. We know there were more injuries. They have decided to sacrifice junior officers. We want justice for Ojwang and many others who have lost their lives,” Khalid, from Vocal Africa, said.
Rights group Amnesty Kenya said in a statement that Ojwang’s arrest raises serious questions and that the results of the IPOA report must be made public and any officers found responsible must be held fully accountable.
Mistrust in the government
This blogger’s death comes almost a year after several activists and protesters were killed and abducted by Kenyan police during finance bill protests in 2024.
Kenya's Ruto withdraws finance bill after anti-tax protest deaths
Economic frustration remains high, despite the proposed taxes being scrapped last year.
“Our demands are still not met. The joblessness they had last year is tenfold. The killings are still happening,” Ndungi Githuku, activist from the People’s Liberation Party, told AP.
“So, nothing was resolved out of the protests that we had. We have freedom that is half baked. This country belongs to the rich, so it is time for the poor to rise. This is what is going to happen (on the anniversary) in a few days.”
And Ojwang’s death continued to spark outrage online. It has clearly renewed calls for protests to demand accountability from the government.
“This government is actually urging us to come out in the street again," Githuku added.
"They are saying they have not repented; they are saying that they will continue abducting and assassinating us. So, we are saying that it’s better to shout and die than to keep quiet and be gotten from our homes while we are quiet.”
(with AP)
