Three Kenyan police officers were formally charged on Monday, June 23, with the murder of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang, whose death in custody earlier this month has ignited national protests and renewed scrutiny of police brutality.
Ojwang was arrested for allegedly defaming Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat on social media. While Lagat has denied any involvement, he stepped down temporarily last week to allow investigations to proceed.
The charged officers — Samson Kiprotich, Talaam James Mukhwana, and Peter Kimani — are being prosecuted alongside three civilians also linked to the case.
Initially, police claimed Ojwang died by suicide. However, a post-mortem examination revealed signs of physical assault, contradicting the official account and fueling public outrage.
Protests escalated further last week when Boniface Kariuki, a street vendor in Nairobi, was shot and critically wounded during a demonstration. Witnesses said he was selling face masks when a police officer fired at close range.
In response, civil society groups and activists have announced a nationwide shutdown scheduled for Wednesday, coinciding with the anniversary of last year’s deadly anti-tax protests.
Ojwang’s death has become a flashpoint for widespread frustration over Kenya’s law enforcement agencies, which have long faced accusations of impunity and excessive force.
Pressure is mounting on authorities to deliver justice and implement police reforms, as public demand for accountability grows louder across the country.
