In a significant development in Kenya, three police officers have been formally charged with the murder of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old blogger who tragically died while in police custody earlier this month. This incident has ignited widespread outrage across the nation, leading to protests demanding justice for Ojwang.
Ojwang was apprehended following a complaint made by Kenya’s deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat, who accused him of defaming him on social media platforms. In light of the ongoing investigations into Ojwang’s untimely death, Mr. Lagat has stepped aside from his position. He has publicly denied any involvement or wrongdoing in the matter.
Charged officers and the circumstances of Ojwang’s death
The three police officers charged are identified as Samson Kiprotich, Talaam James Mukhwana, and Peter Kimani. They stand accused alongside three civilians, all of whom made an appearance in court on Monday. As of now, none of the defendants have entered a plea.
Initially, authorities claimed that Ojwang died from self-inflicted injuries; however, this narrative was quickly revised following an autopsy that suggested he had suffered fatal assault wounds before his death.
Protests and public outcry
Last week, the unrest escalated after a street vendor, Boniface Kariuki, was critically injured when a police officer shot him during demonstrations in Nairobi protesting Ojwang’s death. Witnesses report that Kariuki was selling masks at the time of the incident when he was shot at close range, further fueling public anger over police brutality.
In response to the ongoing violence and alleged misconduct by the police, activists have announced a planned “total shutdown” of the economy for Wednesday. This action aims to intensify protests against police brutality and also marks the anniversary of a previous incident where security forces opened fire on crowds protesting against tax hikes.
“We will not be silenced any longer,” an activist declared at a rally.
The situation continues to develop as Kenyans demand accountability and justice in the wake of these troubling events.