Nairobi, Kenya — A wave of protests engulfed the streets of Nairobi as citizens expressed outrage over the untimely demise of a blogger, Albert Ojwang, while under police custody. Ojwang was detained on June 6 in Homa Bay, located in western Kenya, and transported approximately 400 kilometers (248 miles) to the capital. Authorities claimed his arrest was due to allegedly disseminating “false information” about a high-ranking police official via social media. He later died within the confines of Central Police Station, with police citing a head injury incurred by “hitting his head against the cell wall.” However, this explanation is being met with skepticism from Amnesty International and several local activists.
In response, demonstrators took to the streets, particularly focusing their attention on the road leading to Nairobi’s parliamentary building, strategically timing the protest with the national budget’s scheduled presentation that day. Civil unrest intensified in nearby roads, where at least two vehicles were set ablaze. This incident follows a prior protest on Monday, during which police resorted to firing tear gas to disperse individuals demanding transparency around Ojwang’s death.
Government officials have stated that a formal investigation is currently underway. President William Ruto addressed the nation on Wednesday, expressing that Ojwang’s death was not only “heartbreaking” but also “unacceptable.” He further stated, “I strongly condemn the actions and omissions, including any negligence or outright criminality, that may have contributed to his untimely death.”
This tragic event reignites memories from nearly a year ago when several activists and protestors met fatal fates or were abducted by Kenyan police amid demonstrations against a finance bill. Those protests also led to public demands for President Ruto’s removal from office, amid criticism of his perceived authoritarian governance style.