A wave of public anger swept through Nairobi on Thursday after the death of a corruption-focused blogger in police custody led to the arrest of a police officer and ignited violent protests in the capital.
The late blogger, Albert Ojwang, known for his anti-corruption posts on X (formerly Twitter), was arrested on June 6 in western Kenya. He was accused of publishing “false information” about a senior police official. Authorities transported him more than 400 kilometers to Nairobi, where he died two days later at the Central Police Station under suspicious circumstances.
Police claimed Ojwang fatally injured himself by “hitting his head against the cell wall.” But that version has come under scrutiny. Amnesty International and local human rights groups have dismissed the explanation as implausible.
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A government pathologist later contradicted the police report, citing signs of severe trauma: “Head injury, neck compression and other injuries spread all over the body that are pointing towards assault.”
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Public outrage over Ojwang’s death spilled into the streets on Thursday. Demonstrators clashed with police in central Nairobi and blocked access roads to Parliament, where the national budget was scheduled for presentation, AP reported. During the chaos, at least two vehicles were set ablaze, and several protestors sustained injuries. Property damage was reported, though the value remains undetermined.
The protests followed an earlier demonstration on Monday that was met with tear gas as activists demanded accountability from the police force.
Demonstrators have also demanded the resignation of the senior police official Ojwang had written about.
Kenyan authorities have since confirmed an internal investigation is ongoing.
President William Ruto addressed the nation on Wednesday, calling Ojwang’s death “heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
“I strongly condemn the actions and omissions, including any negligence or outright criminality, that may have contributed to his untimely death,” Ruto stated.
READ ALSO: Police in Kenya suspended over the death of a man in custody for online post
Ojwang’s case has rekindled memories of past incidents, including the violent suppression of last year’s finance bill protests, during which multiple activists were abducted or killed. Critics say the government’s handling of dissent continues to reveal a disturbing authoritarian pattern under Ruto’s leadership.
