Kenyan authorities have suspended the head and staff of a Nairobi police station following the death of a 31-year-old man who had been arrested over a social media post.
Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger from Homa Bay, was reportedly detained for “false publication” after allegedly making critical remarks about a high-ranking official on X, formerly Twitter. Instead of being held locally, he was transported over 350 kilometers to the capital, where he later died in custody.
According to police, Ojwang sustained head injuries after “hitting his head against a cell wall” and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. However, the official version of events has been met with widespread skepticism.
Amnesty International Kenya has called the death “suspicious” and demanded a swift, independent investigation. The rights group also questioned why Ojwang was transferred such a long distance without being booked at the local police station.
The incident has sparked online outrage and revived concerns about the treatment of government critics, particularly those who use digital platforms to express dissent. It also follows recent legal action against other digital activists in Kenya, raising alarms over shrinking space for free expression.
Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an inquiry into the matter, and officials say those involved in Ojwang’s detention have been suspended to allow for an impartial investigation.
Ojwang’s death adds to growing unease over alleged police misconduct in Kenya, where activists continue to call for stronger accountability measures and protection for online voices.