Blogger’s Death in Kenyan Police Custody Sparks Outrage and Disinformation Campaigns
Nairobi, Kenya – The death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and influencer, while in police custody has ignited public outcry and fueled disinformation campaigns targeting prominent religious institutions in Kenya. Ojwang was arrested on June 6th at his family home in Kakot for an allegedly defamatory social media post about Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat. Transported over 350 kilometers to Nairobi Central Police Station, he was charged with “false publication” under Kenya’s cybercrime laws. Just two days later, on June 8th, Ojwang was found unconscious in his cell, reportedly with head injuries. Police initially claimed he had committed suicide by repeatedly hitting his head against a wall. This narrative quickly unraveled amidst mounting evidence of foul play.
Ojwang’s family lawyer reported clear signs of violence, including head trauma, bruises, and bleeding from the nose and mouth, directly contradicting the official police account. An independent investigation by The Star newspaper painted a chilling picture of Ojwang’s final hours. According to their report, he was taken from his cell during the night of June 7th-8th and transported to Karura Forest, where he was brutally tortured and ultimately killed. His lifeless body was then returned to his cell, where he was subsequently discovered the next morning. The Star also alleged manipulation of the cell’s CCTV footage, further deepening suspicions surrounding the official narrative.
The case took a dramatic turn on June 11th when Kenyan President William Ruto publicly acknowledged that Ojwang died "at the hands of the police," directly contradicting the initial official account. This admission fueled public anger and intensified demands for justice. Prior to the President’s statement, the Inspectorate General of Police had already suspended six officers from Nairobi Central Police Station as a precautionary measure pending clarification of Ojwang’s death.
The tragic death of Ojwang has not only sparked outrage and protests, but has also become a breeding ground for disinformation campaigns. False statements attributed to major religious denominations began circulating on social media, attempting to leverage the tragedy for various agendas. One such fabrication targeted the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB). A forged statement, purportedly from the KCCB General Secretariat and dated June 9th, called for calm among young people and urged them to pursue justice through legal channels. The Catholic Church vehemently denied authorship of the statement, exposing it as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
Another falsified message attributed to Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, Primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya, also surfaced online. The Archbishop personally debunked the fabricated statement, which purportedly addressed Ojwang’s death. He unequivocally denied any association with the circulated message, emphasizing his commitment to truth and justice while condemning the misuse of his name for any agenda. These orchestrated disinformation campaigns demonstrate a troubling exploitation of the tragedy, further complicating an already sensitive situation.
Ojwang’s death comes at a time of heightened social tension in Kenya. The nation is still reeling from the violent suppression of protests led by the so-called Generation Z in 2024. These demonstrations, met with brutal force by authorities, resulted in the deaths of at least sixty individuals. The climate of fear and mistrust engendered by these events has been significantly exacerbated by the handling of Ojwang’s case. The blatant attempt to cover up police brutality and the subsequent disinformation campaigns have eroded public trust in institutions and fueled anxieties about the state of human rights and freedom of expression in the country. The calls for justice for Albert Ojwang resonate deeply within a nation grappling with issues of police accountability and transparency. The incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms within law enforcement and a commitment to protecting fundamental rights.