Six individuals accused of involvement in the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang have pleaded not guilty at the Kibera Law Courts. The suspects Central Police Station OCS Samson Taalam, James Mukhwana, Peter Kimani, Brian Mwaniki, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue denied charges of murder on Tuesday. The case has sparked national outrage, with protests erupting across the country last week demanding justice for Ojwang.
Ojwang was arrested on June 7th in Homa Bay over alleged defamatory online content directed at Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat. Following his arrest, he was held briefly at Mawego Police Station before being transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station later that evening. It was at this location that he allegedly died while in police custody.
A post-mortem examination conducted two days later revealed that Ojwang died from a combination of head injuries caused by blunt force trauma, neck compression, and extensive bruising on his body. The findings ignited public outrage and increased calls for accountability within the police service, adding fuel to the ongoing national conversation about police brutality and abuse of power.
On Monday, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) formally charged the six suspects with murder. However, the plea was initially deferred by Justice Diana Kavenza after it was noted that two of the accused appeared in court without legal representation. The case resumed Tuesday, with all six suspects entering not guilty pleas.
In response to growing national tensions, the Interior Cabinet Secretary has announced that the government is open to meeting with families of victims who have suffered loss during recent protests and unrest. Acknowledging the emotional and social toll of the events, the Cabinet Secretary emphasized the government’s readiness to engage in dialogue and provide support.
He stated that from both an institutional and humanitarian perspective, it is crucial to connect with affected families. The ministry, he said, is willing to initiate conversations aimed at healing and exploring ways to assist those who have been impacted by the recent violence and political unrest.
The murder case against the six accused officers and individuals remains a focal point in the ongoing demands for justice, accountability, and reform within Kenya’s law enforcement institutions. The country watches closely as the judicial process unfolds, with civil society groups and citizens continuing to press for transparent and impartial proceedings. Ojwang’s death has become a powerful symbol in the broader struggle against police misconduct, and the outcome of this case is likely to have significant ramifications for future discourse around state accountability.
