Kenya: 11 injured in clashes during protests over blogger’s death in police custody

Edited by : Salma karmass

Clashes erupted in Nairobi during protests over the death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old blogger and teacher who died while in police custody. The unrest intensified after witnesses reported that a police officer shot an unarmed bystander at close range during the demonstrations. The victim, believed to be a street vendor caught in the confrontation, was critically injured and treated at Kenya’s largest government hospital. Police have since arrested the officer involved and expressed concern over the incident.

The protests grew violent as hundreds of men on motorbikes, armed with whips and clubs, attacked demonstrators in downtown Nairobi, shouting “No protest!” Amnesty International Kenya condemned the violence, warning that the use of militias would only escalate chaos and lawlessness. Similar demonstrations also took place in Mombasa, with protesters demanding an end to police brutality and carrying signs that read “Stop killing us.”

Albert Ojwang’s death followed his arrest in the western town of Homa Bay, where he was accused of criticizing the country’s deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat. An independent autopsy revealed that Ojwang’s injuries were inconsistent with police claims that he had died from self-inflicted head trauma, prompting President William Ruto to acknowledge that Ojwang died “at the hands of the police” and to call for greater accountability within the security forces.

In response to public outrage, two senior police officers and a civilian have been arrested in connection with Ojwang’s death. Additionally, Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat announced he would temporarily step down amid the ongoing investigation. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority reports that over 20 people have died in police custody in Kenya over the past four months, underscoring widespread concerns about police violence and misconduct in the country.