The incident raises significant concerns about the treatment of government critics in Kenya amidst increasing tensions over free speech.
**Kenyan Teacher Dies in Police Custody Following Online Criticism**
**Kenyan Teacher Dies in Police Custody Following Online Criticism**
Independent oversight body investigates the suspicious death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, in police custody.
Kenya's police oversight authorities have initiated an investigation into the death of Albert Ojwang, who died shortly after being arrested for "false publication" related to an online post. Ojwang, a teacher and blogger from Homa Bay, was taken by police on a long journey to Nairobi, covering approximately 350 kilometers (220 miles), as reported by his father, Meshack Opiyo.
According to a police statement, during his detention, Ojwang allegedly sustained head injuries after reportedly hitting his head against a wall in his cell, leading to him being rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. However, human rights organization Amnesty International has expressed skepticism surrounding the circumstances of his death, describing it as “very suspicious” and calling for an urgent and thorough investigation.
Amnesty's Kenya director, Irungu Houghton, highlighted the unusual nature of Ojwang's arrest, noting that he was not processed at a local police station but transported a significant distance. The police have labeled the incident as an “attempted suicide," yet the specific charges pertaining to “false publication” remain unclear. Reports indicate that the arrest was linked to an insulting remark Ojwang allegedly made about a government official on social media platform X.
Concerns have escalated regarding the treatment of government critics, particularly in light of a recent incident involving software developer Rose Njeri, who faced charges under cybercrime laws after developing a tool designed to facilitate opposition to government financial policies. As the situation unfolds, calls for accountability and justice regarding Ojwang's death become increasingly urgent against a backdrop of heightened anxiety over freedom of expression in Kenya.
According to a police statement, during his detention, Ojwang allegedly sustained head injuries after reportedly hitting his head against a wall in his cell, leading to him being rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. However, human rights organization Amnesty International has expressed skepticism surrounding the circumstances of his death, describing it as “very suspicious” and calling for an urgent and thorough investigation.
Amnesty's Kenya director, Irungu Houghton, highlighted the unusual nature of Ojwang's arrest, noting that he was not processed at a local police station but transported a significant distance. The police have labeled the incident as an “attempted suicide," yet the specific charges pertaining to “false publication” remain unclear. Reports indicate that the arrest was linked to an insulting remark Ojwang allegedly made about a government official on social media platform X.
Concerns have escalated regarding the treatment of government critics, particularly in light of a recent incident involving software developer Rose Njeri, who faced charges under cybercrime laws after developing a tool designed to facilitate opposition to government financial policies. As the situation unfolds, calls for accountability and justice regarding Ojwang's death become increasingly urgent against a backdrop of heightened anxiety over freedom of expression in Kenya.
