Kenya Protests: Police Use Tear Gas After Blogger’s Death
Nairobi erupts as Kenya protests intensify following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, sparking outrage and demands for justice.Demonstrators clashed with police, who deployed tear gas, highlighting growing concerns about police brutality, following the blogger death. News from Nairobi reveals that President Ruto has acknowledged police involvement in Ojwang’s death, a dramatic shift from earlier statements.Reports show 20 deaths in custody within four months, fueling further scrutiny of Kenyan security services. The incident revives memories of the finance bill protests last year. Stay informed with News Directory 3 for comprehensive coverage. Discover what’s next as investigations unfold, potentially reshaping police reform in Kenya.
Kenya Protests Erupt After Blogger’s Death in Custody
Nairobi,Kenya – Demonstrators flooded the streets of the Kenyan capital Thursday,voicing outrage over the death of Albert Ojwang,a blogger who died in police custody last week. The protests coincide with a report from the country’s police oversight authority, which stated that 20 individuals have died in police custody in the past four months, raising concerns about police brutality and accountability.
police deployed tear gas to disperse protesters near the parliament building. The demonstrators were protesting the death of Ojwang, 31, who was arrested in Homa Bay for criticizing Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat. The Kenya protests highlight growing public anger over alleged police misconduct.
Initial police reports claimed Ojwang died after hitting his head in a cell. However, pathologist Bernard Midia, who conducted the autopsy, cited evidence of assault, including head trauma, neck compression, and soft tissue damage. The finance bill protests of the previous year, where several activists were killed or disappeared, remain a sensitive issue.
President William Ruto acknowledged Wednesday that Ojwang died “at the hands of the police,” a reversal of earlier official statements. He called the incident “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” kenyan media reported the arrest of a police constable in connection with Ojwang’s death.
Malcolm Webb reported from Nairobi that Ojwang, known for his political and social commentary, had accused Lagat of involvement in a bribery scandal. “It’s angered people that he was detained for that, and then days later, dead in a police station,” Webb said, noting protesters demanded accountability for Lagat and continued to clash with police despite the use of tear gas. The blogger death has intensified scrutiny of Kenyan security services.
Independent Policing Oversight Authority chairperson Issak Hassan informed lawmakers Thursday of the 20 deaths in custody over the last four months. Authorities have launched an official investigation into Ojwang’s death. Inspector General Douglas kanja apologized wednesday for the initial implication that Ojwang died by suicide, stating, “He did not hit his head against the wall.”
Ojwang’s death occurs nearly a year after activists and protesters were killed or detained during demonstrations against the finance bill. amnesty International has called for an urgent, thorough, and independent investigation into the death.
What’s next
The investigation into Albert Ojwang’s death and the broader issue of deaths in police custody are expected to continue, with potential implications for police reform and accountability measures in Kenya.