Three Kenyan police officers are facing murder charges following the death of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody earlier this month.
Ojwang’s death has sparked widespread anger, with citizens taking to the streets to demand accountability and justice.
His arrest followed a complaint from Kenya’s deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat, who accused the blogger of defamation over posts made online. Lagat, who has denied any misconduct, has since stepped aside pending the outcome of the investigation.
The officers—Samson Kiprotich, Talaam James Mukhwana, and Peter Kimani—were charged alongside three civilians. All six appeared in court on Monday, though none have entered pleas yet.
Authorities initially claimed Ojwang took his own life, but that explanation quickly unraveled after an autopsy revealed signs of blunt force trauma, suggesting he died from physical assault.
Tensions escalated further when a street vendor was shot and severely injured during protests in Nairobi. Reports indicate the vendor, Boniface Kariuki, was struck at close range by a police officer while selling face masks.
In response to growing outrage, activist groups are calling for a nationwide economic shutdown on Wednesday. The planned protest also marks the anniversary of last year’s deadly demonstrations, where security forces opened fire on crowds rallying against rising taxes.
The calls for justice and an end to police violence continue to echo across the country.
