Outrage and Demands for Justice as Kenyan Blogger Laid to Rest
The funeral of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody last month, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed demands for justice. Thousands of mourners gathered in his hometown of Homa Bay to pay their respects to the 31-year-old journalist, whose death has reignited long-standing concerns about police brutality in Kenya.
Ojwang’s death at Nairobi’s Central Police Station initially sparked violent protests after an autopsy report contradicted police claims that he had died from self-inflicted wounds. The incident has led to the arrest of two police officers and televised parliamentary hearings into the ongoing investigation. At the funeral, Anna Ngumi, a friend of Ojwang’s, vowed to continue fighting for justice, saying, "We are not going to rest until justice is done. Remember, we are still celebrating 7/7 (7th of July protest day) here, we will do 7/7 for Albert Ojwang."
The issue of police impunity has come under sharp focus in the wake of Ojwang’s death. During protests against his killing, 22-year-old street vendor Boniface Kariuki was shot by police at close range, further fueling public anger. Kenyan Member of Parliament Babu Owino, who spoke at the funeral, called for an end to police impunity, stating, "Police are supposed to protect life and property, but police are the ones taking lives of Kenyans. We condemn this act vehemently and are saying that any police officer involved in killing Albert Ojwang must be arrested, taken to court, and jailed for life."
Despite President William Ruto’s pledge to end police brutality and extrajudicial deaths when he took office in 2022, the situation on the ground remains dire. Police watchdogs report that at least 20 people have died in custody in the last four months alone, while 160 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances were reported last year. As Kenya grapples with the legacy of police violence, the death of Albert Ojwang serves as a stark reminder of the need for urgent reform and accountability within the country’s law enforcement agencies. The demand for justice and an end to police impunity will undoubtedly continue to resonate throughout Kenya, fueling calls for meaningful change and an end to the culture of violence that has claimed so many lives.
