KENYA :Protests Erupt Across Kenya Following Death Of Blogger In Police Custody

       By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Kenya today in a wave of unrest triggered by the death of popular blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody.

Demonstrations flared in Nairobi’s city center, particularly along Aga Khan Walk , where the protesters are demanding to reach parliament as tension escalated during the presentation of the national budget.

Protesters, many of them young Kenyans, demanded accountability and transparency from authorities over what they described as a suspicious and tragic incident.

According to police, Ojwang died after allegedly hitting his head on a cell wall. However, this explanation has been met with widespread skepticism. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have called for an independent investigation, citing a troubling pattern of abuse in detention.

The protests, which began earlier this week, intensified today as riot police deployed tear gas and attempted to disperse crowds blocking major roads.

Several vehicles were set ablaze, and clashes between demonstrators and security forces were reported. The situation remains volatile, with more protests expected in the coming days.

President William Ruto addressed the nation, calling Ojwang’s death “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” and vowed that his administration would pursue a full and transparent investigation.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since opened an official inquiry into the incident.

Today’s events evoke strong memories of last year’s anti-finance bill protests, when thousands of young people often described as “Gen Z Maandamano” mobilized in mass demonstrations that led to a police crackdown and a temporary storming of Parliament.

Many of the same groups have reemerged, viewing Ojwang’s death as part of a broader pattern of state repression and lack of police accountability.

As Kenya grapples with growing public anger and unrest, pressure is mounting on authorities to deliver justice and restore public trust in law enforcement.

For many protesters, the demand is simple: the truth about Albert Ojwang’s death and meaningful reforms to prevent it from happening again.