Six Accused Plead Not Guilty in Death of Blogger Albert Ojwang
Nairobi — Six men linked to the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang pleaded not guilty to murder charges Tuesday at the Kibera Law Courts.
The accused Central Police Station OCS Samson Taalam, James Mukhwana, Peter Kimani, Brian Mwaniki, Gin Ammitou Abwao, and Brian Mwaniki Njue denied responsibility for Ojwang’s death, which occurred in police custody earlier this month.
Ojwang, who was arrested on June 7 in Homa Bay for alleged defamatory posts targeting Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, died hours after his transfer to Central Police Station in Nairobi.
According to a post-mortem report released June 9, the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, neck compression, and widespread bruising injuries consistent with assault.
The Director of Public Prosecutions formally charged the six on Monday, but Justice Diana Kavenza postponed plea-taking after it emerged that two defendants lacked legal counsel. That process resumed and concluded Tuesday morning.
Ojwang’s death triggered widespread public anger, leading to protests in Nairobi and Homa Bay. Demonstrators demanded accountability, with civil society groups calling the incident “a gross abuse of state power.”
In response to growing unrest, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government is ready to engage families of protest victims.
“We are prepared to meet and speak with those who lost loved ones during these politically charged events,” Murkomen said. “We want to understand their pain and discuss how we can support them further.”
The case has intensified scrutiny on police conduct, especially concerning the treatment of detainees and the suppression of critical voices online.
The court has scheduled a mention of the case in the coming weeks as investigations continue.
Authorities have not released CCTV footage or further details about Ojwang’s detention, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
Human rights groups have called for an independent inquiry into his death.
Ojwang, a trained teacher, had gained a following online for his commentary on national politics and police accountability. His last known post, published hours before his arrest, questioned the use of force by law enforcement during recent demonstrations.
The legal proceedings mark a critical moment in a country where cases involving police misconduct rarely make it to trial.
The accused remain in custody as the prosecution prepares its evidence.
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