At least 11 people were injured as protests erupted in Kenya following the death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and blogger, who died in police custody shortly after his arrest in Homa Bay.
Ojwang had been arrested on June 7 for allegedly defaming Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat on social media. He was transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station without proper documentation and was found unconscious in his cell on June 8. An autopsy revealed signs of physical assault, contradicting initial police claims that he died from self-inflicted injuries.
In response to his death, public outrage has spread, fueling a series of demonstrations across the country.
During one of the recent protests in Nairobi, a bystander who is reportedly a street vendor was shot in the head at close range by a masked police officer using what appeared to be a shotgun. The man sustained serious gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Kenya’s largest referral hospital. Authorities have confirmed the arrest of the officer involved.
Amnesty International’s Kenya office condemned the use of what it described as militia tactics against protesters, warning that such actions risk intensifying violence and undermining the rule of law.
Ojwang’s case has drawn attention to a broader issue of police brutality in Kenya. Rights organizations point out that over 60 people were killed by security forces during anti-tax protests last year alone, underscoring longstanding tensions between citizens and law enforcement.
Source: Reuters/Aljazeera
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.