By TWV Team
On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, police fired teargas canisters to disperse peaceful protesters in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), who were demanding justice for Albert Ojwang, a digital activist and teacher who died in police custody last week under suspicious circumstances.
The protesters, many of them young, marched through Moi and Kenyatta Avenues, holding placards and chanting slogans like #JusticeForOjwang. Despite their peaceful demonstration, anti-riot police violently disrupted the crowd with tear gas.
Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay on June 7, 2025, on allegations of “false publication” under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, linked to social media posts critical of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat. He was transported over 350 kilometres to Nairobi and booked at the Central Police Station.
Police initially claimed Ojwang took his own life in custody. However, a post-mortem examination by five independent pathologists revealed severe head trauma, neck compression, and extensive soft tissue injuries. Government Pathologist Dr Bernard Midia confirmed that these injuries were inconsistent with suicide, indicating a violent assault.
In a local radio interview, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo condemned the police’s handling of the case and demanded transparency. “We’ve seen many contradictory statements from authorities, which is deeply troubling,” she said. “It’s clear there’s an attempt to cover up. We demand that Deputy Inspector General Lagat step aside from the investigation, as his role as the original complainant creates a clear conflict of interest.”
Hussein Khalid, CEO of the civil rights organisation VOCAL Africa, echoed these concerns. “We are determined to ensure justice for Ojwang, and no intimidation will stop us,” he stated. “We’ve already seen attempts to manipulate the narrative and shield those responsible.”
Before the Senate, Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin named Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Benjamin Talam as the prime suspect, citing Talam’s failure to properly book Ojwang as a major breach and holding him responsible for what transpired in custody.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is now leading the investigation, as public pressure mounts on Deputy Inspector General Lagat to step aside. Outrage over Ojwang’s death continues to escalate, with rights groups and youth-led movements promising more peaceful demonstrations in the coming days. Protesters have demanded not only justice for Ojwang but also far-reaching reforms in Kenya’s policing culture, which they describe as increasingly repressive and unaccountable.
