Protests have erupted across Nairobi and parts of western Kenya following the suspicious death of political blogger Albert Ojwang, who was found dead in police custody under circumstances that have ignited public anger and raised troubling questions about police accountability in Kenya.

Ojwang, a vocal government critic, was arrested last Friday in Homa Bay, western Kenya, and transported over 400 kilometers to the capital. His body was discovered on Sunday in a Nairobi police holding cell. Authorities initially claimed that Ojwang died after repeatedly banging his head against the wall. However, a post-mortem examination conducted on Tuesday has cast serious doubt on the official account.

Dr. Bernard Midia, the government pathologist who led the autopsy, confirmed that Ojwang died as a result of strangulation, not self-inflicted trauma. “There were clear signs of multiple injuries, particularly on the head and neck, which are inconsistent with self-harm,” Dr. Midia stated at a press briefing. “If someone hits a wall, the injury pattern is usually linear or focused. This was something else entirely.”

These findings have triggered outrage among human rights advocates and Ojwang’s supporters, who accuse the police of a cover-up.

Activists close to Ojwang allege that his arrest stemmed from a social media post critical of Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat, published on X (formerly Twitter). They argue that his detention was politically motivated and intended to silence dissent.

Speaking outside the Nairobi Funeral Home, activist Ndungi Githuku said, “The family and legal team have seen his body, and there are bruises on his face, arms, and torso. This wasn’t someone who harmed himself. This was an assault.”

The death has prompted renewed scrutiny of Kenya’s law enforcement practices, particularly regarding the treatment of detainees and suppression of dissent. Demonstrators gathered in central Nairobi on Monday and Tuesday, chanting slogans demanding justice for Ojwang and an end to police brutality.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched a formal investigation into the incident. In response, Inspector-General Douglas Kanja announced that all officers on duty at the time of Ojwang’s death have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International Kenya has called for full transparency. “This incident is part of a growing pattern of repression. The findings of the IPOA must be made public, and those responsible must face legal consequences,” Amnesty stated.

Ojwang’s death follows a series of high-profile incidents involving police violence. Nearly a year ago, during nationwide protests against a controversial finance bill, several demonstrators were reportedly killed or abducted by security forces. Though the bill was later withdrawn, the protests exposed deep-seated grievances over economic inequality, youth unemployment, and state violence.

With public trust in law enforcement already fragile, Ojwang’s case has re-energized calls for systemic reform, including demands for the government to ensure civilian oversight, transparent investigations, and protection for whistleblowers and journalists.

The protests show no signs of slowing, with civil society organizations planning more demonstrations in the coming days. As the nation awaits the IPOA’s findings, pressure is mounting on President William Ruto’s administration to address the worsening human rights situation and restore public confidence in the justice system.

For many Kenyans, Albert Ojwang’s death is not just an isolated tragedy, but a symbol of a broader struggle for accountability and freedom of expression.