The Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) is asking for immediate action following the tragic and suspicious death of Mr. Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, who passed away while in police custody.
BAKE is demanding for immediate and decisive action and justice for the late Mr. Ojwang, who died at the Central Police Station in Nairobi. He was reportedly arrested in Homa Bay on suspicion of “false publication” regarding a social media post on X (formerly Twitter).
“We are deeply distressed by the untimely death of Albert Ojwang while under the care of the state, particularly given the opaque circumstances surrounding his detention and passing,” stated Kennedy Kachwanya, Chairperson, Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) “This incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability within our policing institutions, especially at a time of rising concern over the treatment of government critics. We cannot allow lives to be lost in custody without rigorous scrutiny and transparent justice.”
BAKE is asking the Inspector General of Police to provide an expedited, comprehensive, and impartial investigation into the circumstances leading to Mr. Ojwang’s death.
BAKE is also demanding the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and National Administration to guarantee that the investigation is free from interference and asking the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that should any officers found culpable of negligence, misconduct, or excessive force, they should be promptly prosecuted.
“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) should conduct its own independent investigation and ensure its findings are robust and lead to credible recommendations for systemic changes,” BAKE wrote in a statement asking for immediate public release of a comprehensive, independent autopsy report on Mr. Ojwang’s cause of death and transparency regarding the investigation’s progress and findings, and final prosecution of the culprits.
The death of any individual in state custody is a matter of profound gravity, raising serious questions about police conduct, the duty of care, and adherence to human rights within Kenya’s detention facilities.
Police reports claim Mr. Ojwang sustained head injuries after “hitting his head against a cell wall” and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Mbagathi Hospital. However, his family lawyer says there were signs of struggle, wounds inconsistent with the police report and bruises of self-defense from harm.
