Kenya police clash with protesters over blogger's death
AP image
Kenyan police fired tear gas on Thursday to disperse protesters in Nairobi, angered over the death of a blogger in police custody.
The demonstrations, which turned violent with reports of vehicles being set on fire, erupted a day after President William Ruto acknowledged that the blogger, Albert Ojwang, had died "at the hands of the police.
"
Ojwang was arrested last week in western Kenya for allegedly defaming the country's deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat.
Police initially claimed he died "after hitting his head against a cell wall."
Ruto says 'negligence or outright criminality' led to Ojwang's death
Demonstrators in Nairobi blocked a road leading to parliament, where the national budget was scheduled to be presented. They demanded Lagat's resignation.
On Wednesday, Ruto described Ojwang's death as "heartbreaking and unacceptable."
"I strongly condemn the actions and omissions, including any negligence or outright criminality, that may have contributed to his untimely death," Ruto said.
The Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has also apologised for implying that Ojwang died by suicide.
Assault cited as cause of
blogger's death in custody
Ojwang, known for his posts on X and Facebook about political and social issues, was arrested in Homa Bay for what police said was publishing "false information," about deputy chief Laga.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah?
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
They then drove him 400 kilometers (248 miles) to Nairobi, where he later died in custody.
Amnesty International and local activists have questioned the police account from the outset.
An autopsy showed Ojwang's wounds, including a head injury, neck compression and soft tissue damage, pointed towards assault as the cause of death.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has started an investigation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
NEET-PG 2025: Shashi Tharoor urges JP Nadda to allot extra exam centres in Kerala; says available seats 'exhausted within minutes'
Shashi Tharoor & JP Nadda (File photos) NEW DELHI: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor , who is also the Lok Sabha MP from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, wrote to Union heath minister JP Nadda on Saturday, urging his immediate intervention in authorising additional centres for NEET-PG aspirants in the coastal state. Tharoor said the medical exam students were unable to choose any city within Kerala as the available seats were "exhausted within minutes of the website reopening". Highlighting that National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) already has data on number of applicants in Kerala, Tharoor said it would be "unfair to restrict the number of centres in the state and put the candidates through distress, inconvenience, and financial burden by forcing them to travel to other states for the exam". "Dear @JPNadda Candidates from Kerala appearing for the NEET-PG 2025 exam are unable to choose any city within the state as their test city, as the available seats were exhausted within minutes of the website reopening. As NBEMS already has data on the number of applicants from Kerala, it is unfair to restrict the number of centres in the state and put the candidates through distress, inconvenience, and financial burden by forcing them to travel to other states for the exam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo I hope you will intervene immediately to help these candidates by authorising additional centres without delay. Thank you!" posted MP Shashi Tharoor on X. The NBEMS on Friday published the revised list of exam cities for the NEET PG 2025 examination on its official website. The updated list confirms that the number of test cities has been expanded to 233, ahead of the entrance test scheduled for August 3, 2025. Candidates will now be required to resubmit their preferred exam cities from June 13, 2025 (3 PM) to June 17, 2025 (11:55 PM) via the official portal. NBEMS has clarified that the city allotment process will operate on a first-come-first-serve basis, depending on candidate priority and availability.
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
BTS star Jungkook issues apology for 'inadequacy and carelessness' over controversial 'Make Tokyo Great Again' hat
BTS member Jungkook has issued a heartfelt apology after sparking controversy by wearing a hat with the phrase 'Make Tokyo Great Again' during a rehearsal performance. The slogan, reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump 's 'Make America Great Again,' drew sharp criticism from netizens in South Korea and beyond due to its perceived 'insensitivity' amid ongoing historical tensions between Korea and Japan. The incident occurred during rehearsals for fellow BTS member J-Hope's 'Hope On The Stage' final concert at Goyang Stadium. A photo of Jungkook wearing the hat quickly circulated online, igniting backlash across social media platforms. Responding to the controversy, Jungkook posted a formal apology on Weverse on June 14 KST, expressing remorse over the incident and taking full responsibility. 'Hello, this is Jungkook,' he began. 'My heart is heavy over the fact that I am writing this right after our reunion. I sincerely apologize for disappointing and displeasing many people through the hat I wore during rehearsal.' He went on to clarify that he had not understood the deeper implications of the phrase: 'It was due to my inadequacy that I went on stage wearing a hat without checking the historical and political meaning held in the words, and for that, I am deeply reflecting on myself. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending Local Enterprise Accounting Software [Click Here] Accounting ERP Click Here Undo I'm just sorry.' Acknowledging the seriousness of the misstep, he added, 'There's no room for excuses. It was my inadequacy and carelessness which brought about this situation. From now on, I will act with greater care and consideration. I will humbly accept all criticism and judgment directed toward me for my mistake.' He concluded, 'The hat was disposed of immediately. Once again, I apologize.' Online reactions remain divided, with some fans appreciating Jungkook's swift and sincere apology, while others continue to express disappointment. 'He should've been more aware, especially considering the context,' one user wrote. Others noted that the phrase, while possibly intended as satire, was still inappropriate in light of complex regional sensitivities. The controversy comes at a significant time for BTS, as the group celebrates its 12th anniversary. Thousands of fans gathered on Friday for the annual FESTA celebration, many donning purple and carrying light sticks in honour of the group's legacy. With six of the seven members now discharged from mandatory military service, anticipation is building around the possibility of a full-group comeback.
New Indian Express
41 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Repugnant remarks against flight crash victim: Arrested Kerala official likely to lose job
KASARGOD: Breaching all standards of civility, a government official took to social media, hurling obscene and casteist remarks to malign the Malayali nurse who lost her life in the Ahmedabad air crash. A Pavithran, a junior superintendent with the revenue department, is now under arrest, and his dismissal from service seems imminent. Kasaragod District Collector Imbasekar K on Friday recommended to the government Pavithran's dismissal from service, citing his history as a habitual offender. Despite several warnings, punishments and granting opportunities for correcting his actions, Pavithran of the Vellarikundu taluk office refused to reform and continued with his misdeeds, 'bringing disrepute to the revenue department and the government,' the collector said in his report. Hosdurg police arrested Pavithran from his office. A case has been registered against him under non-bailable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Sections 196, 75, and 67A) and the IT Act. A medical examination proved that he was intoxicated while on duty at the time of the arrest, police said. Pavithran sparked outrage after posting his remark under a Facebook condolence post for Ranjitha G Nair. Though he deleted the comment following intense backlash, screenshots had already gone viral, triggering widespread anger on social media. Despicable act, says minister Revenue Minister K Rajan intervened and ordered Pavithran's immediate suspension. 'Such a despicable act is unbecoming of a government employee. An immediate suspension order was issued once this came to my notice,' the minister said in a Facebook post. There have been several past disciplinary proceedings against Pavithran. In August 2023, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) issued a formal warning against him after a complaint was lodged by the president of Nellikattu Shrimad Paramashiva Vishwakarma Temple, alleging defamatory posts on social media. In February 2024, he received another stern warning following a complaint by Kasaragod native V Bhuvanachandran, who accused Pavithran of defamation through social media posts. Despite the reprimands, Pavithran continued his misconduct. Last September, he was suspended for posting casteist remarks against former minister and Kanhangad MLA E Chandrasekharan on FB. Though disciplinary proceedings followed, the matter was later settled with censure. Pavithran was reinstated on November 7.
