The sudden death of a Kenyan teacher and blogger, Albert Ojwang, while in police custody has triggered public outrage and calls for an independent investigation, as questions mount over how a social media post could lead to such a tragic end.
Ojwang, a resident of Homa Bay in western Kenya, was reportedly arrested for “false publication” after making a post on X (formerly Twitter). He was then transported over 350 kilometers to Nairobi — a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups and the public alike.
In a statement, the Kenyan police claimed Ojwang “sustained head injuries after hitting his head against a cell wall,” suggesting it may have been a suicide attempt. He was rushed to a hospital in the capital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
But the circumstances of his detention and subsequent death have left many unconvinced.
Amnesty International Kenya has strongly condemned the handling of Ojwang’s arrest and detention. Director Irungu Houghton described the entire episode as “very suspicious,” pointing out multiple irregularities in the process — from the initial arrest to the failure to book him into a local police station, to the unexplained transfer to Nairobi.
“It is quite shocking that he wasn’t processed locally but was instead driven across the country without due explanation,” Houghton told the BBC. “This raises serious questions that must be urgently, thoroughly, and independently investigated.”
Amnesty has called on Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to secure the Nairobi police cell as a potential crime scene and ensure transparency in the investigation.
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Ojwang’s father, Meshack Opiyo, told journalists that police said his son had “insulted a senior person on X.” He described the ordeal as traumatic and senseless. “He was a teacher, not a criminal,” Opiyo said in an emotional interview with Citizen Digital. “How does a post on social media lead to this?”
Although authorities maintain that Ojwang was lawfully arrested, the opaque nature of the charges — particularly the broad and often criticized charge of “false publication” — has sparked further alarm about press freedom and online expression in Kenya.
Ojwang’s death comes just days after another high-profile incident involving government critics. Rose Njeri, a software developer, was recently charged under Kenya’s cybercrime laws for developing an app that enabled citizens to reject a contentious finance bill.
These cases appear to underscore growing concerns over the state’s use of digital surveillance and laws to stifle dissent.
As the IPOA begins its investigation, many are demanding answers, not just about Ojwang’s death, but about a growing trend of intimidation against voices of dissent. Online, the hashtag #JusticeForOjwang has gained traction as Kenyans call for accountability and greater protections for digital expression.
“This isn’t just about Albert anymore,” one user tweeted. “It’s about every Kenyan who’s ever spoken up online and feared what might happen next.”
For now, all eyes remain on the authorities to see whether justice will be pursued — or delayed.
