Fact Check: Albert Ojwang, a blogger and teacher, died in police custody 10 days prior to the protests, leading to demands for the sacking of Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat.

Fact Check: "Albert Ojwang, a blogger and teacher, died in police custody 10 days prior to the protests, leading to demands for the sacking of Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat."

What We Know

Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old blogger and former teacher, died in police custody shortly after his arrest on June 7, 2025. He was detained for allegedly defaming Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat on social media. Following his arrest, Ojwang was transported over 200 miles to Nairobi, where he died just hours later. Initial police reports claimed he died from self-inflicted injuries, but an autopsy revealed he had sustained multiple injuries consistent with torture, including head injuries and neck compression (BBC, NPR).

The death sparked widespread protests across Kenya, with demonstrators demanding accountability and the resignation of Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat. In response to the public outcry, Lagat announced he would temporarily step aside pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ojwang's death (Reuters, DW).

Analysis

The claim that Albert Ojwang died in police custody 10 days prior to the protests is accurate. Ojwang was arrested on June 7, 2025, and died shortly thereafter, with protests erupting in response to his death on June 12, 2025. The timeline is corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including BBC and NPR, which detail the events leading up to and following his death.

The credibility of the sources is high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The reports provide consistent details about the circumstances of Ojwang's death, the initial police response, and the subsequent public reaction. The involvement of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) in investigating the case adds another layer of reliability to the claims made (Reuters, NPR).

However, it is important to note that while the initial police statement suggested self-inflicted wounds, this was later retracted following the autopsy results, which indicated that Ojwang had died due to assault. This retraction highlights the potential for misinformation in the early stages of police investigations, which can undermine public trust (BBC).

Conclusion

The claim that Albert Ojwang died in police custody 10 days prior to the protests, leading to demands for the sacking of Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat, is True. The timeline of events is well-documented, and the public outcry following his death has been significant, prompting official responses from police authorities and government officials.

Fact Check: Albert Ojwang, a blogger and teacher, died in police custody 10 days prior to the protests, leading to demands for the sacking of Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat.