Three Kenyan police officers were charged Monday with the murder of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang, whose death in custody this month set off protests and renewed scrutiny of police conduct.
Officers Samson Kiprotich, Talaam James Mukhwana and Peter Kimani appeared in a Nairobi court alongside three civilians facing the same count. None of the six entered pleas; the magistrate delayed that step until a hearing later this week.
Ojwang was arrested after Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat accused him of defamation on social media. Lagat stepped aside last week pending the inquiry and has denied wrongdoing.
Police first said Ojwang died from self-inflicted injuries, but an autopsy concluded he was likely beaten to death, forcing officials to retract the initial account.
Outrage over the case grew last Tuesday when a uniformed officer was filmed shooting street vendor Boniface Kariuki in the head during demonstrations demanding justice for Ojwang. Kariuki, who witnesses say was unarmed and selling face masks, remains in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Rights groups and foreign embassies have called for a transparent investigation. Activists are planning a nationwide “total shutdown” strike on Wednesday to protest police brutality, marking one year since security forces opened fire on crowds rallying against tax increases.