A Kenyan police officer has appeared in court in connection with the death of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang, whose killing in police custody has sparked public outrage and mass protests across Nairobi.
Police Constable James Mukhwana is accused of playing a direct role in the killing and attempted cover-up of Ojwang’s death, which occurred after his arrest over a social media post critical of Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Eliud Lagat.
Initial police statements claimed Ojwang had died after repeatedly banging his head against a cell wall—allegedly causing fatal injuries.
However, an autopsy and findings from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have ruled out suicide, pointing instead to blunt force trauma consistent with assault.
Court documents allege that PC Mukhwana, along with other unidentified officers, “was likely involved in the planning and execution” of the killing. He is also accused of tampering with CCTV systems at Nairobi’s Central Police Station in an attempt to conceal the incident. A technician suspected of disabling the surveillance system has also been arrested.
Mukhwana, who voluntarily presented himself to authorities, remains in custody pending a bail hearing next week. His lawyer has denied the charges and requested bail, citing his client’s cooperation with investigators.
The case has reignited national concern over police brutality in Kenya, where more than 150 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances were reported in the past year, according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
On Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators marched through Nairobi demanding accountability and the resignation of Deputy Inspector-General Lagat. Pressure is mounting on the police leadership, with civil society groups and opposition leaders calling for immediate suspensions and structural reforms.
President William Ruto, who campaigned on promises to end police abuse, has called for a “swift and transparent” investigation. “We will protect citizens from rogue officers,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Despite past pledges of reform, watchdogs say police abuses persist with alarming regularity. IPOA reports that at least 20 people have died in police custody in just the past four months.
As investigations continue, the spotlight remains on Kenya’s security forces—and the state’s commitment to justice and accountability.
