What began as grief has erupted into rage on the streets of Kenya.
Hundreds of angry citizens took to the streets to protest the suspicious death of political blogger Albert Ojwanga, who had been arrested on charges of defamation against the country’s police chief. Just two days after his detention, Albert was found dead in police custody. Authorities initially claimed the blogger had died by suicide, but the public wasn't buying it.
A Brutal Pattern?
The outrage echoes tactics seen in other African nations — especially Mozambique — where citizens are increasingly fed up with the use of state power to silence dissent. Eyewitness videos show tear gas flooding neighborhoods and rubber bullets fired into crowds as demonstrators demand justice, truth, and reform.
Presidential Reversal Sparks Political Crisis
Under immense pressure, the President of Kenya publicly contradicted the official police report, admitting that Ojwanga was in fact murdered by police officers. This stunning reversal has shaken national institutions and emboldened protesters.
One officer has already been arrested in connection with the death. Still, the public demands more: the immediate dismissal of the national police chief, whom they blame for targeting Albert Ojwanga.
Why This Matters Globally
This is no longer just about one blogger. The case has become a flashpoint in a much larger debate about freedom of expression, state violence, and democratic integrity in African nations.
Kenya, often seen as a regional hub for tech and democracy, now faces a credibility crisis. Can a nation that silences bloggers claim to be a beacon of freedom? Protesters say no — and they're making sure the world is watching.
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