What happened to Albert Ojwang? Investigation into Kenyan blogger's death in police custody underway

Albert Omondi Ojwang was a Kenyan teacher-turned-blogger and social media influencer who gained recognition as an environmental advocate. On June 6, 2025, Ojwang was arrested at his home in Homa Bay County following a social media post in which he criticized Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat.

He was then transferred over 350 kilometres to Nairobi's Central Police Station. Police said that he was found unconscious in his cell with self-inflicted injuries. While an exact date of Ojwang's death is not known, Nairobi police initially reported that Ojwang died over the weekend in his cell after hitting his own head against the wall. However, government pathologist, Bernard Midia, one of the five to examine the blogger's body, notified reporters that Ojwang's injuries were "unlikely to be self-inflicted."

Midia said:

"The cause of death is very clear, head injury, neck compression, and we also have other injuries spread all over the body that are pointing towards assault."

Midia's colleague, Geoffrey Mutuma, said that there were:

"a lot of injuries in the skin, in the back...inflicted with a lot of force."

Ojwang also had "what we call self-defence injuries."

A postmortem conducted on June 10 at the Nairobi Funeral Home has raised concerns about Ojwang's death.

Protests erupt after Albert Ojwang's death in custody

Protests against the Nairobi police have emerged all over the country, with citizens demanding justice for Albert Ojwang's untimely death in police custody. Albert Ojwang's family lawyer, Julius Juma, while speaking to the press, mentioned:

"We do not yet know the exact cause of Albert's death of who is responsible. If he was arrested for the reasons given, why was he placed in solitary confinement? Why are we being told he hit his head against the wall? His body showed numerous injurites - to his head, hands, and shoulders. His head was completely swollen."

Human rights activists from across the country, including Hussein Khalid, head of the human rights group, Vocal Africa, told the RFI:

"We say; 'enough is enough.' We have lost too many lives at the hands of the police. Whatever the circumstances, no one should die in police custody."

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A protest march immediately began in Nairobi on June 9, near the Central Police Station where Albert Ojwang died while in custody. All officers present that night have been suspended. The police department announced that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority has launched an investigation.

Albert Ojwang's death has caused widespread animosity and mistrust against the Nairobi police.

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