A Kenyan police officer appeared in court on Friday in connection with the death of a teacher in custody, a case that has sparked national outrage and renewed scrutiny of police brutality in the country.
Albert Ojwang, 31, died last weekend while being held at the Nairobi Central Police Station, days after being arrested over social media posts critical of a senior police official.
Police initially claimed Ojwang fatally injured himself by banging his head against a wall. However, a government pathologist later stated the injuries were “unlikely to be self-inflicted.”
Constable James Mukhwana, assigned to the same police station, was arraigned by officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which requested three weeks to complete its investigation. The court heard that Mukhwana was present the night Ojwang was taken into custody by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri confirmed the arrest but directed further inquiries to IPOA, which has yet to comment. Earlier this week, Muchiri announced that five officers had been removed from active duty to allow for a “transparent investigation.”
President William Ruto has ordered a swift probe into Ojwang’s death and pledged that the government will “protect citizens from rogue police officers.”
The case has reignited anger over alleged police abuses, particularly following a wave of abductions during anti-government protests last year. Protesters have called for the resignation of Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Kipkoech Lagat, who was among those criticised by Ojwang in his online posts.
Rights groups report that dozens of individuals were unlawfully detained during and after last year’s demonstrations, with several still missing. Others have been arrested for publicly criticising the government and President Ruto.
According to IPOA, 18 people have died in police custody in the past four months alone.
AFP
