A protester holds a banner and shouts at a Kenyan police officer throughout an illustration over the loss of life of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody. June 12 2025
Luis Tato/AFP
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Luis Tato/AFP
NAIROBI, Kenya —Protests erupted throughout Kenya Thursday over the loss of life of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody beneath suspicious circumstances.
Ojwang was arrested final week in Homa Bay, in western Kenya, after criticizing Kenya’s Deputy Inspector Common 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 instructor, 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 loss of life. Dr. Bernard Midia, one in every of 5 pathologists who examined Ojwangs physique stated the “explanation for loss of life may be very clear; head harm, neck compression and different accidents unfold all around the physique which can be pointing in direction of assault,” and “a number of smooth tissue accidents.”
Six law enforcement officials have been on obligation on the time of Ojwang’s loss of life. One has been arrested and charged with homicide, two stay at massive. Kenya’s police watchdog, the Impartial Policing Oversight Authority, says extra arrests are imminent.
Anger over the killing spilled into the streets of Nairobi, the place demonstrators blocked roads, set vehicles ablaze, and tried to march on Parliament as lawmakers debated the nationwide funds. Riot police fired tear fuel to disperse crowds.
NAIROBI, KENYA – Demonstrators collect to stage an anti-government protest demanding an finish to police brutality after the loss of life of Kenyan social media influencer Albert Ojwang, who died after being taken into police custody. June 9 2025
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Anadolu/Getty
The unrest comes a 12 months after anti-tax protests shook the nation and left over 60 lifeless. Demonstrators say Ojwang’s loss of life has reopened wounds—and fueled deepening public mistrust in Kenya’s police drive.
“No justice, no funds,” they chanted. “Lagat should go,” they stated. Others held posters and copies of the foremost dailies, which all had entrance web page tales concerning the loss of life.
The protests started earlier this week when information of Ojwang’s loss of life emerged, however Thursday’s demonstrations have been by far the most important, resulting in the closure of many companies within the metropolis. Protests have been held in different cities in western Kenya and the Rift Valley.
“There isn’t any worth for all times; they’re killing us daily,” stated journalist and activist Hanifa Adan. “We’re right 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 loss of life as “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” The EU, U.S., and U.Ok. have all known as for a clear investigation.
“That is the final loss of life beneath police,” stated 23-year-old protester Kelvin Oluoch. “We now have to face our floor and say by no means once more. Sufficient is sufficient.”
