Kenya Police Chief suspends Officers After Custody Death

​ Updated June 09, 2025
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The head of a police station and all ⁢officers on duty have⁤ been suspended by Kenya’s police chief after a man died in custody. Albert Ojwang had been detained on charges of “false publication,” according to authorities.

Ojwang was arrested‌ in⁣ Homa Bay for a​ post he made on X, then transported 220 miles to Nairobi, his father, Meshack Opiyo, told reporters. According to‍ a police statement,⁤ Ojwang sustained⁤ head⁣ injuries while in custody after‍ hitting his head against a cell wall. He was taken to a hospital but pronounced dead upon arrival.

Amnesty International’s Kenya branch director described Ojwang’s death as “very suspicious” and called for an urgent, thorough, and⁣ independent investigation into⁢ the incident. The ⁢organization noted that Ojwang, described as a teacher and blogger, was not booked at the local police ‌station before being transported.

Stephen Okal,⁢ a senior police officer, reportedly said the incident was an attempted suicide,⁢ according ‍to the Star newspaper. The specific ‍content of the “false publication” charge ⁤remains unclear. ​Though, Citizen Digital​ reported that the arresting officer claimed Ojwang had⁣ insulted a senior person on X.

The police stated that the suspensions‌ are to allow Kenya’s independent oversight body to conduct an impartial investigation into ‍the‍ police accountability.The death of Ojwang, reported to be 31, has⁤ sparked ‌online ⁣outrage and calls for protests.

Amnesty International Kenya director Irungu⁣ Houghton ‍criticized the circumstances of Ojwang’s ⁣arrest, calling it “quite shocking” that he was transported without⁤ being booked locally. ‍He urged independent investigators to secure the police ‍station in Nairobi as‍ “the crime scene.”

The incident occurs amid growing ⁢concerns about the treatment of government critics. ‌Last week, software⁣ developer Rose⁢ Njeri, who created ‌a tool⁣ opposing a government⁢ finance bill,‍ was charged​ wiht violating a⁣ cybercrime law. This custody⁣ death raises questions about police conduct.

What’s next

the independent oversight body is ‌expected to begin its investigation immediately, focusing on the circumstances surrounding Albert Ojwang’s ⁢arrest, detention, and death. The findings will likely⁤ influence future police procedures ⁢and accountability measures.