Nairobi Bureau - A Kenyan police officer has been arrested following the death of 31-year-old political blogger Albert Ojwang, who died while in police custody — sparking nationwide protests and fresh scrutiny of police brutality in the country.

Ojwang was arrested last week in Homa Bay, western Kenya, reportedly for making critical remarks about Deputy Police Inspector General Eliud Lagat. Two days later, he was dead. Police initially claimed he had injured himself by banging his head against a cell wall — but a post-mortem tells a different story.

Government pathologists confirmed signs of blunt force trauma, neck compression, and internal injuries. An independent examiner, Bernard Midia, who also reviewed the body, ruled out the possibility of self-harm or suicide.

Public outrage intensified after the state’s narrative collapsed. On Wednesday, President William Ruto publicly acknowledged that Ojwang died "at the hands of the police," walking back earlier claims from law enforcement.

“This cannot be swept under the rug,” said a protester in Nairobi during Thursday’s demonstrations. “This is not just about Ojwang — it’s about all of us.”

Crowds flooded the streets of the capital, chanting “Lagat must go!” and waving Kenyan flags. Many accuse the police leadership of fostering a culture of impunity.

In response to the backlash, five officers were suspended pending investigations. On Friday, police spokesperson Michael Muchiri confirmed that one officer — a constable — had been arrested in connection with the case. He declined to offer further details, citing an ongoing investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). IPOA has yet to issue a statement.

Ojwang’s death has reignited debates around the unchecked power of Kenyan security forces. Rights groups point to a growing list of deaths in custody and unresolved cases of enforced disappearances, especially in the wake of last year’s antigovernment protests. IPOA data shows at least 20 people have died in custody over the last four months alone.

President Ruto, who has previously promised to end extrajudicial killings and reform the police, now faces growing skepticism. Activists say the state must move beyond words and deliver real accountability.

“This is a test of political will,” said Sheila Mwangi of the Nairobi-based Center for Constitutional Rights. “A government that cannot protect its critics, especially those using peaceful means like social media, is a government that fears its own people.”

International observers have joined the call for transparency. Both the United States and the European Union have urged a full and independent investigation into Ojwang’s death.

As Kenyans demand justice, Ojwang’s name has become a rallying cry for accountability — and a warning that the digital space, often a refuge for free expression, is no longer safe from the reach of state power.


By WafricNews Desk.