President William Ruto is facing mounting public and political criticism over his administration’s handling of police brutality and extra-judicial killings, following the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang’ while in police custody.
Ojwang’ was arrested in Kakot, Homa Bay County, on Saturday by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers over a social media post deemed derogatory. The complaint was reportedly filed by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat. Ojwang’ was transported to Nairobi and detained at the Central Police Station, where he later died under suspicious circumstances.
Police claimed the 34-year-old died from self-inflicted injuries after allegedly hitting himself against the wall of his cell. However, a post-mortem report contradicted this narrative, revealing severe head injuries, neck compression, and multiple soft tissue trauma inconsistent with the police version.
Public anger has been further fueled by the silence of President Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, both of whom have yet to comment on the death. On Citizen TV’s Daybreak program, Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu termed the incident as a betrayal of the president’s 2022 campaign promise to uphold human rights and constitutional freedoms. “They need to pull up their socks. They are not living up to expectations,” Mulu said, urging the government to stop silencing dissent.
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed on Monday that officers involved in Ojwang’s detention had been interdicted, including the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), duty officer, and cell sentries present during the incident.
Calls are growing for the resignation of DIG Lagat and for independent investigations into the death. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Kenya, are demanding justice, noting that Ojwang’s case adds to a worrying trend. The group documented 104 extrajudicial killings in 2024 alone, following 118 in 2023.
The outrage over Ojwang’s death has become a flashpoint for civic activism, with citizens and lawmakers urging accountability and adherence to constitutional protections. The incident casts a shadow over Ruto’s human rights record and puts renewed pressure on his administration to address police impunity.
