A man named Albert Ojwang died shortly after being arrested by police in Nairobi, raising serious concerns about the circumstances of his death. Human rights organization Amnesty International is calling for an urgent and independent investigation into the incident, highlighting the need for accountability.
Ojwang was reportedly taken into custody for allegedly making a false publication on social media, specifically for insulting a senior official on the platform X. However, the exact details of the charge remain unclear. Senior police officer Stephen Okal described the situation in the cell as "an attempted suicide," but this explanation has been met with skepticism.
Irungu Houghton, the director of Amnesty International Kenya, expressed shock that Ojwang was not processed at a local police station after his arrest. Instead, he was transported on a long journey, which raises questions about the treatment he received in custody. Houghton has urged independent investigators to secure the area where Ojwang was held, referring to it as "the crime scene."
The police maintain that Ojwang’s arrest was lawful. However, his death has sparked wider concerns about the treatment of government critics in Kenya. This incident follows another recent case where a software developer was charged for opposing a government finance bill, highlighting a growing trend of crackdowns on dissent.
As calls for justice grow louder, the focus now turns to ensuring a thorough investigation into Ojwang’s death and the broader implications for freedom of expression in the country.