Protests ignited in Nairobi following the tragic death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who was arrested by police in Homa Bay. The enraged crowd, fueled by the loss of one of their own, demanded justice and accountability.
The unrest escalated when police resorted to using tear gas to disperse the demonstrators near the parliamentary building. The incident shed light on a deeper issue within Kenya’s law enforcement system, with reports from the police watchdog revealing a concerning number of 20 deaths in custody within just four months.
Initially, authorities claimed that Ojwang’s death was due to self-inflicted injuries sustained by hitting his head against a cell wall. However, a pathologist involved in the autopsy revealed disturbing details indicating possible foul play. President William Ruto acknowledged the gravity of the situation by admitting that Ojwang had indeed died
“at the hands of the police,”
denouncing it as
“heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
The circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s arrest and subsequent demise painted a grim picture of alleged police brutality and misconduct. Reports emerged linking his critical online posts about Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat to a bribery scandal investigation. As Al Jazeera correspondent Malcolm Webb reported from the scene, Ojwang’s sudden death raised suspicions among protesters who were relentless in seeking justice for their fallen comrade.
The backlash against law enforcement extended beyond Ojwang’s case, highlighting broader concerns about extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances allegedly involving security forces. Issak Hassan, chairperson of Independent Policing Oversight Authority, confirmed these fears by revealing shocking statistics – 20 deaths in police custody over a mere four-month period.
In response to mounting pressure and public outrage, an official investigation into Ojwang’s death was launched. Inspector General Douglas Kanja issued an apology for misleading statements suggesting suicide as the cause of death when addressing lawmakers during a Senate hearing.
This tragic event is not an isolated incident but rather part of a larger pattern of human rights violations within Kenya’s security apparatus. Amnesty International emphasized the urgent need for an independent inquiry into Ojwang’s untimely demise to ensure transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies.
As Kenya grapples with this latest crisis exposing systemic failures, voices demanding justice echo through the streets as citizens unite under one banner – seeking truth and fairness for Albert Ojwang and all victims affected by similar injustices.
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