NAIROBI, Kenya — The mysterious and tragic death of 29-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang’ while in police custody has ignited a firestorm across Kenya, with the Council of Governors (CoG) now demanding a swift and impartial investigation into what they describe as a chilling breakdown of law enforcement protocols.
Ojwang’, who hailed from Kakot village in Homa Bay County, was reportedly arrested over a social media post on platform X—formerly Twitter.
What followed, according to family and officials, was a disturbing series of events: the young man was allegedly whisked away from his rural home and transported more than 400 kilometers to Nairobi. Days later, he was dead.
“It is inconceivable,” said CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdulahi, visibly shaken. “A young man arrested in Homa Bay, dragged across the country, then dies in a Nairobi police cell?
Whatever his alleged crime, there were perfectly adequate legal channels available locally. This reeks of overreach and impunity.”
The blogger’s family said they only learned of his death after arriving at the Central Police Station in Nairobi, where he’d been detained following an overnight transfer. Police told them he had sustained fatal head injuries after allegedly hitting a cell wall.
But his father, Meshack Opiyo, isn’t buying that. “They claim he insulted a senior person on X,” Opiyo said. “Now they want us to believe he died from hitting his head? It doesn’t add up. We want an independent post-mortem and the truth.”
That truth may be complicated. A police report obtained by local media labeled the incident as a suspected suicide, alleging an officer on patrol found Ojwang’ unconscious in his cell. He was rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Still, critics aren’t convinced. Human rights advocates and the blogger’s legal team are pushing back hard, pointing out that such incidents raise grave concerns over how digital dissent is policed in Kenya.
“No one deserves to die like this, especially not in a democracy,” said the family’s lawyer, speaking outside the police station. “Due process exists for a reason. If there was a crime, he should have faced a court—not a grave.”
Kakamega Governor and CoG Finance Chair Fernandes Barasa also condemned the incident, tying it to broader promises made by national leadership. “One of the key agreements between the President and the opposition was the protection of life. This case violates that completely. As governors, we are disturbed.”
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since confirmed it has launched an official investigation. IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan said their team had already visited the scene, met with Ojwang’s family, and collected preliminary evidence. A post-mortem was scheduled for Monday, June 9, at City Mortuary.
“We have deployed officers on the ground and interviewed five DCI officers involved in the arrest,” said Hassan. “Our findings will determine if criminal culpability exists—and if so, we will forward our recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
IPOA stressed that its probe would be independent and free from any external influence, a crucial reassurance amid mounting public skepticism.
Kenya has seen rising tensions over alleged police brutality, especially in cases involving online activism. And while Ojwang’s case may be the latest flashpoint, it is by no means the only one fueling demands for justice and reform.
As calls grow louder for accountability and transparency, one truth remains clear: a young man is dead, and a nation wants answers.
