Police Chief Arrested Over Death of Kenyan Blogger in Custody

Kenyan authorities have arrested the head of Nairobi’s central police station, Samson Talam, over the suspicious death of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody. The case has sparked national outrage and renewed scrutiny of police conduct in the country.

Talam’s arrest follows a deeper investigation that also led to the detention of Corporal James Mukwana and a police technician accused of disabling the station’s CCTV system. Ojwang was reportedly detained after posting a critical message about Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat, on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Initially, police claimed that Ojwang died after hitting his head on a wall, but this explanation was quickly challenged by medical experts. An independent inquiry later found evidence pointing to assault rather than an accident.

Faced with growing pressure, the police retracted their earlier statement. Inspector General Douglas Kanja issued a formal apology, acknowledging that the original communication had misled the public.

Investigators have since interviewed 23 people and suspended five officers in connection with the case. Prosecutors believe Corporal Mukwana and others orchestrated Ojwang’s death and manipulated surveillance footage to cover it up. Mukwana has been presented in court and remains in custody pending a bail hearing. He has not issued any public statements, though his lawyer said he cooperated with the investigation.

Meanwhile, the technician accused of disabling the CCTV has also been detained. The case has sparked protests, with demonstrators in Nairobi demanding the dismissal of Deputy Inspector General Lagat.

President William Ruto, who pledged to combat police brutality after taking office in 2022, has called for a swift and transparent investigation. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to holding rogue officers accountable.

Human rights organizations continue to raise concerns over police violence in Kenya. Last year alone, more than 160 extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances were reported. In the first four months of this year, at least 20 people are believed to have died while in police custody.