Latest news with #HomaBay
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Why di death of 26-year-old Albert Ojwang wey die for police custody dey spark protest for Kenya
Dozens of activists don stage protest outside one mortuary for Kenya capital, Nairobi. Dis dey come afta di one 26-year-old man die for police custody. Albert Omondi Ojwang death spark outrage for Kenya. Dem arrest am afta one complaint by di deputy police chief, wey accuse am say e tarnish im name on social media. for one initial statement, police tok say Ojwang "bin sustain head injuries afta e hit im head against one cell wall" for custody. However, Ojwang family lawyer, Julius Juma, tok say di body show signs of severe physical trauma, wey include swelling on di head, nose and ears. Oga Juma also say im see bruises on Ojwang shoulders and hands - injuries wey e say no dey consistent wit one single impact against a wall. Kenya Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) don launch inquiry into im death. Protesters hold placards and dey chant "Stop killing us", dem protest for Nairobi City mortuary, wia dem keep Ojwang body. Di crowd later march go di Central Police Station wia dem hold Ojwang bifor di time of im death. Why Police arrest Albert Ojwang wey later die for custody Police arrest Oga Ojwang for Homa Bay, one town for western Kenya, on Friday, 7 June, sake of one post e put on X wey allegedly criticise di Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat. Dem later transfer am go Nairobi, wey dey ova over 350 km (220 miles) from wia dem arrest am and book am into Central Police Station on Saturday, 8 June. According to Oga Kanja, dem arrest Mr Ojwang afta Oga Lagat file one complain say e dey "tarnish" im name. "Na on dat basis dem carry out investigations," Oga Kanja tok for one press conference. Responding to mounting public pressure, Oga Kanja announce say dem don take actions against senior officers for Nairobi Central Police Station. Police tok-tok pesin Michael Muchiri, tell BBC say dis one mean say di officers no go fit perform dia duties, and dem go receive half dia salaries, pending di outcome of di investigation by IPOA. Speaking at a press conference, Inspector General Kanja tok say di police go give di investigators all "necessary support" to solve di case. Dem find Mr Ojwang unconscious during one routine inspection of di cells and dem "rush am go hospital, wia dem pronounce am dead on arrival", police tok. Di director of Amnesty International Kenya branch, Irungu Houghton, tell BBC say Mr Ojwang death dey "very suspicious". Oga Houghton tok say e dey "quite shocking" say dem no book Ojwang for di local police station afta dem detain am, but instead dem carry am on long journey. On Sunday, 8 June, e call on independent investigators to secure wetin e describe as "di crime scene" for di police station for Nairobi. Oga Ojwang death for detention dey come at a time of rising concern on top how dem dey treat some goment critics. Last week, software developer Rose Njeri, wey create one tool to help pipo oppose one goment finance bill, dey charged wit accuse say she violate a cybercrime law. She deny di charge.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kenyan dies in custody after arrest for online post
Kenya's independent police oversight body has launched an investigation into the death of a man who had been detained "for false publication", the police have said. Albert Ojwang was arrested in the western town of Homa Bay and then driven 350km (220 miles) to the capital, Nairobi, his father Meshack Opiyo told journalists. "While in custody, the suspect sustained head injuries after hitting his head against a cell wall," a police statement said. He was rushed to hospital "where he was pronounced dead on arrival". The director of the Kenyan branch of rights group Amnesty International told the BBC that the death of Mr Ojwang, described in reports as a teacher and blogger, was "very suspicious". Amnesty said in a statement that his death "raises serious questions that must be urgently, thoroughly, and independently investigated". Senior police officer Stephen Okal is quoted by the Star newspaper as saying what happened in the cell was "an attempted suicide". It is not clear what the charge of "false publication" referred to, but Mr Opiyo told online news site Citizen Digital that the arresting police officer said "Albert had insulted a senior person on X", the social media platform. Referring to the circumstances of his arrest, Amnesty International Kenya director Irungu Houghton said it was "quite shocking" that Mr Ojwang was not booked in at the local police station after being detained, but was instead taken on a long journey. He called on the independent investigators to secure what he described as "the crime scene" at the police station in Nairobi. The police said that Mr Ojwang was "lawfully arrested". His detention and death comes at a time of rising concern about how some government critics are being treated. Last week, software developer Rose Njeri - who created a tool to help people oppose a government finance bill - was charged with violating a cybercrime law. Why Kenya's president has so many nicknames The 'tax collector' president sparking Kenyan anger BBC identifies security forces who shot Kenya anti-tax protesters Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Albert Ojwang: Kenyan dies in custody after arrest for social media post
Kenya's independent police oversight body has launched an investigation into the death of a man who had been detained "for false publication", the police have Ojwang was arrested in the western town of Homa Bay and then driven 350km (220 miles) to the capital, Nairobi, his father Meshack Opiyo told journalists."While in custody, the suspect sustained head injuries after hitting his head against a cell wall," a police statement said. He was rushed to hospital "where he was pronounced dead on arrival".The director of the Kenyan branch of rights group Amnesty International told the BBC that the death of Mr Ojwang, described in reports as a teacher and blogger, was "very suspicious". Amnesty said in a statement that his death "raises serious questions that must be urgently, thoroughly, and independently investigated".Senior police officer Stephen Okal is quoted by the Star newspaper as saying what happened in the cell was "an attempted suicide".It is not clear what the charge of "false publication" referred to, but Mr Opiyo told online news site Citizen Digital that the arresting police officer said "Albert had insulted a senior person on X", the social media to the circumstances of his arrest, Amnesty International Kenya director Irungu Houghton said it was "quite shocking" that Mr Ojwang was not booked in at the local police station after being detained, but was instead taken on a long called on the independent investigators to secure what he described as "the crime scene" at the police station in police said that Mr Ojwang was "lawfully arrested".His detention and death comes at a time of rising concern about how some government critics are being treated. Last week, software developer Rose Njeri - who created a tool to help people oppose a government finance bill - was charged with violating a cybercrime law. You may also be interested in: Why Kenya's president has so many nicknamesThe 'tax collector' president sparking Kenyan angerBBC identifies security forces who shot Kenya anti-tax protesters Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Zawya
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Kenya Marks International Women's Day 2025 in Homa Bay County: A Rallying Call for Rights, Equality, and Empowerment
International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls, while also calling for renewed action to advance gender equality. First declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1975, IWD has since become a pivotal moment to both honor progress and spotlight the work still ahead. This year, Kenya commemorated International Women's Day in Homa Bay County under the theme, "For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment." The 2025 theme underscored the urgency of unlocking equal rights, power, and opportunities for all, and called for a feminist future where no one is left behind. Central to the celebrations was the recognition of youth — particularly young women and adolescent girls — as key catalysts for lasting change. The event brought together over 3,000 participants from local communities, the National and County Governments, civil society organizations, development partners, the private sector, and other stakeholders. The Chief Guest, H.E. Rachel Ruto, First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, highlighted the strides made by the government toward gender equality, such as the expansion of the Women Enterprise Fund, which continues to enhance access to affordable credit for women entrepreneurs. She further emphasized Kenya's progress in women's political participation, especially in the context of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action. Antonia NG'abala-Sodonon, UN Women Kenya Country Representative, lauded the government's steadfast support toward the gender equality agenda. She cited milestones such as advancing the two-thirds gender rule, developing the National Care Policy (currently under Cabinet consideration), launching the Women's Economic Empowerment Policy and Women's Charter, and establishing a 42-member taskforce to address gender-based violence and femicide. Antonia also highlighted the significance of 2025 as a pivotal milestone as it marked 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. She emphasized the urgent need to address persistent challenges and emerging issues, such as climate justice and the impact of digital technologies, to achieve gender equality and meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. H.E. Pirkka Tapiola, Finland's Ambassador to Kenya and Co-Chair of the Development Partners Gender Group, reinforced the importance of prioritizing gender equality across all government programs. While acknowledging the progress in tackling gender-based violence and femicide, he urged for continued, intensified efforts. A major highlight of the day was the launch of Kenya's Beijing +30 Country Report officiated by H.E. Rachel Ruto flanked by key dignitaries. The report documents the country's critical achievements, challenges, and opportunities to accelerate gender equality and women's empowerment over the past five years. The International Women's Day 2025 celebrations in Homa Bay reaffirmed the collective commitment of all stakeholders to invest in women and girls as a driving force for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
