Death of Albert Ojwang
Albert Ojwang | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1993/1994 Kakoth village, Homa Bay County, Kenya |
| Education | Pwani University |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Spouse | Nevinina Onyango[1] |
| Children | 1 |
On June 8, 2025, 31-year-old Albert Omondi Ojwang (born 1993 or 1994), a Kenyan teacher and blogger known for his outspoken commentary on social and political issues, died in police detention in Nairobi. Police initially contended that Ojwang, who was arrested for allegedly defaming the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Kenya, died of self-inflicted injuries. Nevertheless, an autopsy conducted on 8 June 2025 pointed to Ojwang having died of physical assault.
Ojwang's death resulted in protests and outrage by both Kenyan political figures and the wider public.
Background
[edit]Ojwang, an ethnic Luo,[2], attended Pwani University and worked as teacher in the town of Mwatate in southeastern Kenya.[3] Ojwang gained recognition for his posts on X (formerly Twitter), where he frequently discussed governance and public affairs under a pseudonym. In April 2025, Ojwang had returned to his childhood home in Kakoth, near Homa Bay, to formalize his marriage with his wife Nevnina Onyango. At the time of his death, Ojwang was the father of a three year old boy, George.[4][3]
Arrest and detention
[edit]On June 7, 2025, Ojwang was arrested at home in Kakoth and driven transfered 350 km (220 mi) away to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, following allegations of publishing false information about Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat on X.[5] On June 8, he was found unconscious in his cell and later pronounced dead at Mbagathi Hospital.[5][6]
An autopsy revealed that he had suffered severe head injuries, neck compression, and multiple soft tissue trauma, contradicting initial police claims that he had inflicted the injuries himself.[5]
The case remains under investigation, with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) leading inquiries.[5] As of June 12, six police officers are under investigation,[6] with one being arrested.[7]
Reactions
[edit]Ojwang's death sparked national outrage, with human rights groups and political figures demanding accountability. The U.S. Embassy also called for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.[8]
Justin Muturi, former speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya, wrote in the Daily Nation that Ojwang was "killed by the state", contending that his death was the result of a "broken, brutal police culture" and demanded the officers be prosecuted and that President Ruto take full responsibility.[2]
Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya, condemned the killing on X and called for the Kenya Police to take responsibility.[9]
Protests began in Nairobi on June 9 and continued in the following days. On June 12, police deployed tear gas against protesters.[6] Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, who Ojwang was arrested for allegedly defaming, resigned on 16 June 2025.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ Green, John (12 June 2025). "Albert Ojwang: Johnson Sakaja Reveals Close Friendship with Slain Blogger - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b Muturi, Justin (9 June 2025). "Albert Ojwang didn't die—he was killed by the State". Daily Nation. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b Muia, Wycliffe; Usher, Barbara Plett; Waihenya, Brian (17 June 2025). "Why Albert Ojwang's death has put Kenya's police on trial". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ Ajon, Brian (9 June 2025). "Albert Ojwang: 5 Facts About Young Blogger Who Died in Police Custody". Tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Albert Ojwang's autopsy shows the Kenyan blogger was hit and assaulted to death". BBC News. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b c Princewill, Nimi (12 June 2025). "Kenya hit by protests sparked by teacher's death in police cell". CNN. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ "Police officer arrested over Albert Ojwang murder". Daily Nation. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ "US Embassy condoles with Albert Ojwang's family, calls for transparent probe". The Star. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ Raila Odinga [@RailaOdinga] (10 June 2025). "Statement on the Death of Albert Ojwang" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 June 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ Wandera, Akisa (16 June 2025). "Eliud Lagat steps aside amid uproar over death of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang in detention". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 17 June 2025.