Mystery Death of Blogger Albert Ojwang in Police Hands

By Albert Kasembeli

The arrest, transfer, and subsequent death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody have raised disturbing questions about police conduct, accountability, and the treatment of detainees in Kenya.

Ojwang’s case – from his arrest in Migori to his unexplained fatal injuries at Nairobi’s Central Police Station – follows a troubling pattern of custodial deaths met with vague, often contradictory official explanations.

The police claim Ojwang was arrested for a “false publication,” but they have yet to specify which post or social media content triggered his detention. Ojwang, known for his critical commentary on social and political issues, frequently posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The police have not produced any evidence linking his detention to a specific publication. Without transparency, the arrest appears arbitrary, raising concerns about whether the state is weaponising vague laws to silence dissent.

After his arrest in Migori, Ojwang was driven over 300 kilometers to Nairobi’s Central Police Station for “further questioning.” Migori has fully functional police stations and courts capable of handling alleged cybercrimes. The decision to move him suggests either an unusual prioritization of his case or an attempt to isolate him from local support networks.

But was this standard procedure? No. Most suspects are arraigned where they are arrested unless there are exceptional circumstances – none of which have been disclosed.

Pundits have poked questions on whether his arrest was properly documented. Activists and friends allege that Ojwang was never booked in the Occurrence Book (OB) at Central Police Station, a critical procedural requirement.

Failure to document a detainee violates police protocols and fuels suspicions of an extrajudicial process. If Ojwang was officially in custody, why was there no paper trail?

The National Police Service (NPS) claims Ojwang died after “hitting his head against a cell wall,” sustaining self-inflicted injuries, and was pronounced dead on arrival at Mbagathi Hospital.

However, inconsistencies in the narrative are glaring. Witnesses who viewed Ojwang’s body report severe injuries inconsistent with self-harm, including deep bruises and possible signs of torture.

Was Ojwang’ in solitary confinement or cell? If not, why haven’t other detainees’ accounts been made public? Their testimonies could corroborate or contradict the police version. If cameras were present in the cells, their footage would provide crucial evidence. The failure to release it suggests either negligence or an active cover-up.

Ojwang’s death echoes past cases – like the mysterious deaths of Alexander Monson, Baby Sagini, and countless others – where police narratives conflict with eyewitness and medical reports. The lack of accountability in such cases perpetuates a culture of impunity.

Accountability

Civil society groups and legal experts are calling for: An independent autopsy (beyond government pathologists); Immediate release of CCTV footage from the cell; Full disclosure of the alleged offending publication; and an investigation into why he was never booked in the OB

Until these questions are answered, the public has every reason to distrust the official narrative. Albert Ojwang’s death is not just a tragedy – it is a test of Kenya’s commitment to justice and the rule of law.

Ends…