• A Kenyan police officer has been arrested in connection with the death of blogger Albert Ojwang.
• Protests in Nairobi escalated as demonstrators demanded accountability for his death.
• President William Ruto acknowledged police negligence led to Ojwang's death.
• An independent autopsy contradicted police claims, indicating assault as the cause.
• International calls for transparent investigations into police conduct are mounting.

Protests erupted in Nairobi after the death of Albert Ojwang, a political blogger who died in police custody. The unrest, which featured property destruction and vehicle fires, was triggered by public outrage over police treatment and demands for accountability, especially following the arrest of a police officer in connection to the case. President William Ruto described Ojwang's death as “heartbreaking and unacceptable” and stated it occurred "at the hands of the police," acknowledging potential police negligence or misconduct, according to Africanews and Reuters.

Ojwang was arrested on June 6 for allegedly defaming Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat. He died two days later under suspicious circumstances, initially reported by police as a self-inflicted injury. However, autopsy findings revealed injuries indicative of assault, including head trauma and neck compression. These discrepancies have fueled further protests and raised concerns over police accountability, according to Indiatimes and Aljazeera.

Following Ojwang's death, demonstrations intensified with hundreds of protesters blocking key roads and chanting for reform within the police force. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has commenced an investigation into the incident, which has previously been marred by allegations of extrajudicial killings and police brutality in Kenya. Activists highlight that Ojwang's case symbolizes growing frustrations with the police, particularly in light of last year's protests that resulted in significant loss of life, according to Reuters and Africanews.

As public outcry continues, international scrutiny has been directed at the Kenyan government's handling of police brutality cases. Both the United States and the European Union have called for a transparent investigation into Ojwang's death. This incident has reignited discussions on the need for systemic reforms within Kenyan law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability and safeguard human rights, as stated by Indiatimes and Reuters.