Why Albert Ojwang's dying has put Kenya's police on trial

[ad_1] Wycliffe Muia, Barbara Plett Usher & Brian Waihenya BBC Information, Nairobi

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/81fc/live/921b4380-4ba6-11f0-8c47-237c2e4015f5.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/81fc/live/921b4380-4ba6-11f0-8c47-237c2e4015f5.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/81fc/live/921b4380-4ba6-11f0-8c47-237c2e4015f5.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/81fc/live/921b4380-4ba6-11f0-8c47-237c2e4015f5.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/81fc/live/921b4380-4ba6-11f0-8c47-237c2e4015f5.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/81fc/live/921b4380-4ba6-11f0-8c47-237c2e4015f5.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/81fc/live/921b4380-4ba6-11f0-8c47-237c2e4015f5.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/81fc/live/921b4380-4ba6-11f0-8c47-237c2e4015f5.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Albert Ojwang / Facebook Albert Ojwang pictured at his graduation in a grey cloak and mortarboard" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Albert Ojwang / Fb Albert Ojwang, who was married with a younger son, had graduated with a Bachelor of Training diploma just a few years in the past

"My son died like an animal," stated Meshack Ojwang, earlier than breaking down in tears in entrance of journalists exterior Central Police Station in Kenya's capital, Nairobi.

His solely son Albert Ojwang had been arrested of their village of Kakoth, close to the western city of Homa Bay, the day earlier than - on Saturday 7 June 2025 - as he was having lunch along with his spouse Nevnina Onyango.

One of many 5 arresting officers advised the household he was accused of insulting a police boss on social media.

"We requested the police if he was going to be protected, as a result of we had heard tales of some folks being kidnapped," Ms Onyango advised the BBC. "They assured us, on the level of even them giving us their numbers."

When Mr Ojwang was booked into Central Police Station at round 21:30 on the Saturday evening he was allowed to telephone his spouse.

"After we talked, he was like: 'As a lot as I am pressured, don't be concerned that a lot. I am going to see you quickly.' I feel these have been his final phrases," she stated.

However his father was involved and determined to observe his son, making the 350km (220 miles) journey to Nairobi - carrying the household's land title deed as safety in case it was wanted to pay bail.

He says he arrived early on the Sunday morning on the station, and after being saved ready for a number of hours, was ultimately advised that his son had died from self-inflicted wounds.

In disbelief and standing subsequent to his lawyer, he described seeing his son's physique: "He was bleeding from the nostril and had a bruised torso and face. He was additionally shirtless, however this isn't how I handed him over to the police on Saturday."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/c945/live/eb5bed50-4ba6-11f0-a466-d54f65b60deb.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/c945/live/eb5bed50-4ba6-11f0-a466-d54f65b60deb.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c945/live/eb5bed50-4ba6-11f0-a466-d54f65b60deb.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/c945/live/eb5bed50-4ba6-11f0-a466-d54f65b60deb.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c945/live/eb5bed50-4ba6-11f0-a466-d54f65b60deb.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/c945/live/eb5bed50-4ba6-11f0-a466-d54f65b60deb.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/c945/live/eb5bed50-4ba6-11f0-a466-d54f65b60deb.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c945/live/eb5bed50-4ba6-11f0-a466-d54f65b60deb.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Hassan Lali / BBC Relatives crying inside a funeral parlour in Nairobi after seeing Albert Ojwang's body - Saturday 14 June 2025." class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Hassan Lali / BBC Albert Ojwang's dad and mom are devastated by the lack of their solely son

His candid interview in heartfelt Swahili and his refusal to remain silent touched Kenyans and the hashtag #JusticeForAlbertOjwang instantly started trending, with requires an investigation.

Kenya has a historical past of police brutality, however the subsequent revelations have surprised the nation - not solely the small print in regards to the dying in police custody of the skilled instructor turned blogger, however the ensuing allegations of police lies and subterfuge.

Parliament even referred to as within the chief of police, the pinnacle of the Directorate of Prison Investigations (DCI), the interior affairs minister and the Impartial Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for questioning.

It's arduous to think about why the 31-year-old Bachelor of Training graduate may have died such brutal circumstances.

It's clear that his father, who used to work in a quarry in south-eastern Kenya, was proud that his son from such humble beginnings had achieved so effectively academically.

"He may by no means damage anybody both on-line or bodily," David Bwakali, a former educating colleague at Kituma Secondary College, advised Kenya's Day by day Nation's newspaper.

Albert Ojwang, a passionate Manchester United soccer fan, had taught spiritual research, historical past and rugby on the college within the city of Mwatate in south-eastern Kenya.

He was solely there for a few phrases final 12 months as he had not been employed on a authorities contract however privately by the college's administration board.

That is frequent for brand spanking new academics - he had not lengthy graduated from Pwani College - and such preparations have a tendency to not be effectively paid.

Mr Bwakali stated his good friend had just lately been in contact to debate how he hoped to get a posting as a authorities instructor.

And it was an thrilling time for Mr Ojwang, who lived within the coastal city of Malindi, as he and his 26-year-old spouse had gone again to his rural Homa Bay residence for an extended go to so she might be correctly launched to his household.

They'd arrived in April and have been, in line with Luo customs, formalising their marriage.

A part of these traditions concerned refurbishing his "simba" - or bachelor's pad inside his father's homestead - into a house appropriate for the couple and their three-year-old son George.

He was serving to his dad and mom out by doing a little farm work on the household's two-acre plot of land - and he and his spouse have been planning for his or her future with Ms Onyango's imminent commencement as a well being employee.

Mr Ojwang was additionally attempting to become profitable as a digital content material creator - and was a part of a motion of younger folks on social media posting about political and social points.

That is what led to his dying.

It isn't clear what number of followers he had on X as his account was deleted after his arrest, however fellow influencers stated he had a robust on-line presence and infrequently participated in social media campaigns.

He used a pseudonym - one thing that isn't uncommon with Kenyans on-line given latest crackdowns on youth dissent.

Activists have linked his dying to a broader development of police impunity, citing the unresolved deaths of greater than 60 younger folks throughout final 12 months's anti-tax protests.

"Ojwang's dying just isn't an remoted incident however a chilling reminder of the institutionalised impunity and rogue behaviour throughout the Nationwide Police Service (NPS)," Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) director and famend human rights defender, Khelef Khalifa, advised native media.

However what's uncommon about Albert Ojwang's case is the how swiftly and detailed the investigation has been. As well as, two days of the televised parliamentary hearings have meant that Kenyans have heard for themselves the disturbing particulars that led to his dying.

When showing earlier than the parliament final Wednesday, police chief Douglas Kanja was compelled to retract an earlier police assertion that stated that Mr Ojwang was discovered unconscious in his cell and rushed to hospital, the place he died of head accidents sustained after he banged his personal head towards a wall.

The autopsy examination and an unusually speedy investigation by the IPOA dominated out the chance that the blogger had killed himself.

The police chief apologised and blamed the error on "misinformation" from his juniors.

He went on to say that the arrest of Mr Ojwang had stemmed from defamatory on-line posts focusing on his deputy, Eliud Lagat - who has since stepped apart. Mr Lagat stated he was doing so within the "good and acutely aware thought" of his duties as deputy police chief and that he would offer any assist he may to the investigation into the blogger's dying.

In line with Mr Kanja's assertion to parliament, the posts on X had alleged Mr Lagat was working corrupt operations within the police by putting trusted officers in particular departments and visitors shifts to "management each income streams and intelligence move".

Mr Kanja's assertion detailed varied posts together with one which claimed Mr Lagat was below investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Fee (EACC) alongside along with his picture and the phrase "Mafia Cop".

In line with the police chief's parliamentary assertion, Mr Lagat had submitted a grievance to the DCI on 4 June in regards to the posts. The subsequent day when the EACC confirmed there was no investigation into Mr Lagat, the police proceeded with what was considered a "critical case" below the Pc Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.

Mr Kanja stated the Communications Authority was contacted about two accounts linked to the posts. It led to the arrest of a person on 5 June who revealed that he and 4 others have been concerned within the marketing campaign - one being Albert Ojwang.

Two days later, the police had tracked Mr Ojwang right down to his residence village in western Kenya.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/f687/live/1a8d1d50-4ba8-11f0-86d5-3b52b53af158.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/f687/live/1a8d1d50-4ba8-11f0-86d5-3b52b53af158.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f687/live/1a8d1d50-4ba8-11f0-86d5-3b52b53af158.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/f687/live/1a8d1d50-4ba8-11f0-86d5-3b52b53af158.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/f687/live/1a8d1d50-4ba8-11f0-86d5-3b52b53af158.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/f687/live/1a8d1d50-4ba8-11f0-86d5-3b52b53af158.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/f687/live/1a8d1d50-4ba8-11f0-86d5-3b52b53af158.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f687/live/1a8d1d50-4ba8-11f0-86d5-3b52b53af158.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="AFP/Getty Images A group of protesters on a street in Nairobi march and hold up various signs - some in Swahili - calling for justice over the death of Albert Ojwang" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> AFP/Getty Photos Albert Ojwang's dying has triggered demonstrations and revived anger over the heavy-handed police response to anti-tax protests final 12 months

In her testimony, IPOA Vice Chair Anne Wanjiku gave some surprising particulars about the previous couple of hours of Mr Ojwang's life.

She stated two witnesses, who have been in a neighbouring cell, advised the IPOA that that they had heard loud screams on the evening he died.

IPOA investigators declare {that a} technician was paid $30 (£22) to disconnect the CCTV within the station.

After the parliamentary hearings ended, two law enforcement officials have been arrested in reference to Mr Ojwang's dying.

The IPOA, which is bringing the case, stated junior officer PC James Mukhwana had advised investigators the intention had been to "self-discipline" Mr Ojwang, not kill him.

He stated the officer in command of the station, Samson Talam, had been contacted by Mr Lagat with the order and had given the constable $15 to pay two inmates to beat up Mr Ojwang.

Mr Talam, by his legal professionals, has denied the allegation and Mr Lagat has not commented.

Underneath Kenyan legislation, people in police custody are entitled to particular protections, together with the precise to authorized illustration and communication with advocates or assist individuals.

Mr Ojwang's household are nonetheless having issue absorbing their loss.

"I had not believed it till I noticed his physique within the morgue," stated Ms Onyango, telling the BBC it bore indicators of torture. It was like "issues that we simply see in films… I've by no means seen such a physique. It was so coronary heart breaking," she stated.

President William Ruto, who pledged to finish Kenya's historical past of police brutality and extrajudicial deaths when he got here into energy in 2022, has spoken out about his shock, saying: "This tragic prevalence, by the hands of police, is heart-breaking and unacceptable."

He urged the police to co-operate totally to facilitate a "swift, clear and credible investigation".

"I totally anticipate that the reality about what occurred to Ojwang will probably be established sooner or later and that justice will probably be served," he added.

Nevertheless practically 160 circumstances of suspected extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances have been reported throughout Kenya final 12 months, in line with the Kenya Human Rights Fee (KHRC).

IPOA chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan advised MPs when he was questioned on Thursday that not less than 20 folks had died whereas held by police previously 4 months alone.

"It's as if our structure solely is there like a newspaper to be learn, and tomorrow we neglect about it," Mr Ojwang's father advised the BBC.

Grief has overwhelmed Mr Ojwang's widow: "I do not know what's going to occur subsequent, as a result of that one individual that was my finest good friend… he isn't there. So, I really feel like my world is so small and it is darkish."

However like her father-in-law, Ms Onyango believes the case, which has sparked protests, might be a turning level.

"I feel Albert's dying ought to be an eye-opening to us, as a result of it has proven us a number of the issues which might be taking place within the cells that perhaps we do not know.

"I actually need to discuss to my fellow Kenyans to face on our ft and try to discuss this matter, so that everyone might be accountable."

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