Authorities have launched investigations into the mysterious death of a teacher who died while in police custody after being arrested over a social media post deemed derogatory.
Albert Ojwang, a teacher based in Voi, was reportedly arrested on Saturday while visiting relatives in Migori.
Police claim the arrest was linked to a post he made on X (formerly Twitter), which they described as offensive.
According to preliminary reports, Ojwang was transported to Nairobi and detained at a city police station for interrogation.
While in custody, he allegedly sustained severe head injuries in what police described as a suicide attempt.
“He was rushed to the hospital after what we think was an attempted suicide. He had injured himself in the head and was rushed to the hospital, where he died. He did not die here in custody,” said Nairobi Central Police Commander Stephen Okal.
Ojwang was pronounced dead at the hospital. His body has since been transferred to the mortuary, where an autopsy is expected to be conducted in the presence of his family, who have been notified and are traveling to Nairobi.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is expected to join the investigation amid public pressure for transparency in the case.
The incident has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny over the state’s handling of online dissent. It comes amid a wider crackdown on individuals accused of posting politically sensitive or “offensive” content on social media, particularly in the wake of recent anti-government protests.
Separately, in Kakamega County, a woman identified as Anne Wambui, 34, died by suicide after allegedly jumping into a borehole at her home in Matunda. Police have launched investigations into the incident, though the motive remains unclear.