Protests erupt in Kenya’s capital over blogger’s demise in police custody

NAIROBI, Kenya —Protests erupted throughout Kenya Thursday over the demise of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody underneath suspicious circumstances.

Ojwang was arrested final week in Homa Bay, in western Kenya, after criticizing Kenya’s Deputy Inspector Normal of Police, Eliud Lagat, on social media. Ojwang was transported over 200 miles to Nairobi, the capital, on Friday, the place he died hours later.

A former trainer, turned blogger, Ojwang had been writing about Lagat’s alleged involvement in a bribery scandal which had beforehand been reported by the press.

Police initially claimed Ojwang “hit his head on a cell wall,” however an post-mortem revealed he was tortured to demise. Dr. Bernard Midia, one among 5 pathologists who examined Ojwangs physique mentioned the “cause of death is very clear; head injury, neck compression and other injuries spread all over the body that are pointing towards assault,” and “multiple soft tissue injuries.”

Six law enforcement officials had been on responsibility on the time of Ojwang’s demise. One has been arrested and charged with homicide, two stay at massive. Kenya’s police watchdog, the Unbiased Policing Oversight Authority, says extra arrests are imminent.

Anger over the killing spilled into the streets of Nairobi, the place demonstrators blocked roads, set automobiles ablaze, and tried to march on Parliament as lawmakers debated the nationwide funds. Riot police fired tear gasoline to disperse crowds.

NAIROBI, KENYA – Demonstrators collect to stage an anti-government protest demanding an finish to police brutality after the demise of Kenyan social media influencer Albert Ojwang, who died after being taken into police custody. June 9 2025

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The unrest comes a yr after anti-tax protests shook the nation and left over 60 useless. Demonstrators say Ojwang’s demise has reopened wounds—and fueled deepening public mistrust in Kenya’s police drive.

“No justice, no budget,” they chanted. “Lagat must go,” they mentioned. Others held posters and copies of the foremost dailies, which all had entrance web page tales in regards to the demise.

The protests started earlier this week when information of Ojwang’s demise emerged, however Thursday’s demonstrations had been by far the biggest, resulting in the closure of many companies within the metropolis. Protests had been held in different cities in western Kenya and the Rift Valley.

“There’s no value for life; they are killing us every day,” mentioned journalist and activist Hanifa Adan. “We are here demanding justice.”

Kenya’s police chief, Douglas Kanja, apologized for initially deceptive the general public. In a heated parliamentary listening to Thursday, lawmakers grilled senior police officers amid rising nationwide outrage and revelations that greater than 20 individuals have died in police custody over the previous 4 months.

President William Ruto condemned Ojwang’s demise as “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” The EU, U.S., and U.Okay. have all known as for a clear investigation.

“This is the last death under police,” mentioned 23-year-old protester Kelvin Oluoch. “We have to stand our ground and say never again. Enough is enough.”