Kenya’s independent police watchdog is investigating the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang, 26, who was held for allegedly sharing false information online. Image: Courtesy
(The Post News)- Kenya’s independent police watchdog is looking into the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang who was held for allegedly sharing false information online. According to BBC News, the 26-year-old Ojwang was arrested over a post on X in the western town of Homa Bay and later taken about 350km (220 miles) to Nairobi, his father, Meshack Opiyo, told reporters.
The director of rights group Amnesty International’s Kenya branch told the BBC that the death of Mr Ojwang, described as a teacher and blogger, was “very suspicious”.
Reported by The Eastleigh Voice, Omondi’s father, Meshack Opiyo, told journalists outside Nairobi’s Central Police Station on Sunday that police officers arrived at their home in Kakot, Homa Bay County, around 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, while the family was having lunch.
“We were eating lunch when we heard the sound of motorbikes approaching. Three bikes arrived two went behind the homestead while one parked in front. Each bike carried two people. The visitors then introduced themselves as police officers,” said Omondi’s father.
Senior police officer Stephen Okal is quoted by the star newspaper as saying what happened in the cell was “an attempted suicide”.
The exact reason behind the “false publication” charge is unclear, but Mr. Opiyo told the online outlet Citizen Digital that the officer who made the arrest said, “Albert had insulted a senior person on X,” the social media platform.
According to BBC News, Amnesty International Kenya director Irungu Houghton described the circumstances of Mr. Ojwang’s arrest as “quite shocking,” noting that he was not taken to the local police station for booking but was instead driven a long distance.
He urged independent investigators to preserve what he called “the crime scene” at the Nairobi police station.
The police stated that Mr. Ojwang’s arrest was lawful.
His detention and death happen at a time when people are starting to worry about how some government critics are treated.
Kenyans and human rights groups are calling for transparency and answers, saying the details around Omondi’s death are still unclear.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Albert Ojwang, who died last night at the Central Police Station in Nairobi. No Kenyan should lose their life in police custody. Police officers have a legal and moral duty to ensure the safety and well-being of every person under their custody,” Amnesty International said in a statement on Sunday.
“The death of Albert Ojwang while in detention raises serious questions that must be urgently, thoroughly, and independently investigated by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).”
Amnesty International has called for the investigation results to be shared openly and for any officers responsible to be held accountable under the law.
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