Kenya’s police chief announced on Monday that a man who died in police custody over the weekend had recently lodged a complaint against a senior police officer. Albert Ojwang, aged 31, was discovered unconscious in a Nairobi police station cell on Saturday and was pronounced dead later at a hospital. Police claim he sustained fatal injuries from “hitting his head repeatedly against a wall.”
However, his family and legal representatives contest this account. “We viewed the body yesterday and observed numerous injuries on the hands and shoulder, along with severe swelling on the head, particularly in the frontal region. There was also blood coming from the nose and ears,” stated Julius Juma, the family’s lawyer, during a press conference outside the Nairobi morgue, where supporters had gathered.
The incident has ignited widespread outrage, coinciding with the first anniversary of protests against tax increases and corruption. Those demonstrations, which were met with a violent police reaction, resulted in the deaths of at least 60 individuals.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that Ojwang had been arrested following a complaint filed by Deputy Inspector General Eliud Kipkoech Lagat. “There was a complaint regarding defamation of the Deputy Inspector General. Investigations were underway as he also has the right to legal protection,” Kanja mentioned.
Human rights organization Amnesty International has called for an “urgent, thorough, and independent” inquiry into Ojwang’s death.
This case has heightened fears regarding a crackdown on government critics. Rights groups report that over 80 individuals have been detained without due process since the protests in June 2024, some for minor actions like sharing satirical cartoons of President William Ruto.
Former Attorney General Justin Muturi, whose son was reportedly detained during the protests, condemned Ojwang’s death, stating, “The circumstances surrounding his death, including the alleged ‘suicide attempt’ in custody, are not only suspicious—they are outrageous,” Muturi posted on X.
“They undermine the intelligence of Kenyans and raise serious concerns about the conduct, accountability, and integrity of our law enforcement agencies.”
This incident has intensified demands for accountability and justice regarding custodial deaths and alleged police misconduct.
