Kenya: Police under scrutiny over blogger’s death

Criticism against the Kenyan police has grown in recent weeks following the death of popular blogger, Albert Ojwang, at the hands of the authorities.

The 31-year-old Bachelor of Education graduate, who was known for exposing police corruption on X, was arrested nearly 400 kilometers from Nairobi. One of the five arresting officers told the family he was accused of insulting a police boss on social media. Police later gave conflicting information, claiming that he had committed suicide while in custody. Human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, refuted the claims.
Contrary to the police report, the government pathologist confirmed that the deceased had "head injury, neck compression and other injuries"- pointing towards assault.

Ojwang's death later culminated in massive street protests condemning police brutality, which were met with harsh police retaliation in efforts to de-escalate tension. The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat, stepped aside on June 16 as investigations continue into police handling of Ojwang's arrest and subsequently his death.

Kenyan human rights groups continue to demand urgent action over illegal arrests, detentions, torture, and killings of government critics.
Demonstrations erupted on June 25 across 23 of Kenya's 47 counties, as protesters demanded the resignation of President William Ruto.

Face mask vendor Boniface Kariuki is rushed to hospital by protesters after he was shot by a police officer in Nairobi on June 17, 2025. Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group

Boniface Kariuki, another protester, was shot at close range in Nairobi while selling face masks during a protest demanding justice for the death of Ojwang. Declared brain dead on Sunday, Kariuki succumbed to his injuries on Monday afternoon at Kenyatta Hospital.

Despite President Ruto's vow to end police brutality, including unlawful detentions and disappearances, his Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murokomen, was recently recorded instructing police to shoot on sight anyone approaching police stations during protests. Murkomen has since retracted the statement, claiming he was misquoted.
These remarks have drawn strong criticism, particularly from former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the Law Society of Kenya, who have denounced them as illegal and unjustified.

It's been a full year since citizens took to the streets to protest against the financial bill, which resulted in an attack on the parliament building, killing at least 60 people and 20 others still missing.