The circumstances surrounding the sudden death of blogger Albert Ojwang have drawn national attention after Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, released an official chronology of events on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Ojwang, a vocal online commentator, was reportedly arrested on Friday, June 7, 2025, in Homa Bay County by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The police have not disclosed the charges against him at the time of arrest. Following his apprehension, he was swiftly transported to Nairobi for further questioning by detectives based at the DCI headquarters.
Upon arrival in the capital, Ojwang was booked into the Central Police Station under the Occurrence Book number 136/7/6/2025 at approximately 9:35 pm on the same day. The details of his interrogation or any legal proceedings remain unclear.
Tragically, during a routine inspection of the holding cells, officers discovered Ojwang unconscious. According to IG Kanja, police personnel immediately attempted to administer first aid and then rushed him to Kenyatta National Hospital. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The incident has ignited public outcry, with many Kenyans, human rights activists, and online users demanding transparency and justice. They are calling for an independent investigation to determine the exact cause of death and whether there was any negligence or foul play involved.
IG Kanja assured the public that the matter is under active review and that the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have been engaged to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. He urged Kenyans to remain calm and allow due process to take its course.
Ojwang’s family has expressed shock and devastation, calling for the government to take full accountability for what they describe as a suspicious death in custody. Plans for a post-mortem examination are underway as the country awaits further updates on the case.
The death of Albert Ojwang has now become a critical test of police transparency and accountability in Kenya.
