Outrage in Kenya Following Police Charged with Murder of Blogger

The tragic death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody has ignited widespread protests in Kenya, leading to murder charges against three police officers and civilians. The incident reflects the growing public outrage regarding police violence and accountability in the country.

Three police officers in Kenya are facing murder charges following the distressing death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old blogger who passed away in police custody earlier this month. Ojwang's arrest was instigated by a defamation complaint lodged by the deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat, who has since stepped aside pending investigations into the circumstances surrounding Ojwang's demise. Despite Lagat's assertions of innocence, public discontent, fueled by the nature of Ojwang's death, continues to escalate.

Initially, law enforcement claimed Ojwang succumbed to self-inflicted injuries, but a subsequent autopsy disclosed that he likely died from assault-related wounds, prompting a shift in the official narrative. This revelation has spurred intense backlash, as demonstrators take to the streets to demand justice. Tensions reached a boiling point during protests in Nairobi, where a street vendor, Boniface Kariuki, was shot by police while selling masks, exacerbating calls for systemic change.

Activists are advocating for a "total shutdown" of the economy on Wednesday to amplify their demands for an end to police brutality, coinciding with the anniversary of a violent incident where security forces fired on crowds protesting tax increases. The grim trend of police violence in Kenya has garnered international attention, highlighting the critical need for accountability and reform within the security forces.