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| Eliud Lagat steps aside amid uproar over death of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang in detention | Eliud Lagat steps aside amid uproar over death of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang in detention |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Albert Ojwang's death in police custody about a week ago has caused outrage in Kenya | Albert Ojwang's death in police custody about a week ago has caused outrage in Kenya |
| Kenya's deputy police chief Eliud Lagat has stepped aside pending the outcome of investigations into the death in detention of blogger Albert Ojwang. | Kenya's deputy police chief Eliud Lagat has stepped aside pending the outcome of investigations into the death in detention of blogger Albert Ojwang. |
| Mr Lagat had been under pressure to resign from the opposition and human rights activists as Mr Ojwang was arrested after he filed a complaint, accusing the blogger of defaming him on social media. | Mr Lagat had been under pressure to resign from the opposition and human rights activists as Mr Ojwang was arrested after he filed a complaint, accusing the blogger of defaming him on social media. |
| Police initially said that Mr Ojwang died of self-inflicted wounds, but were forced to retract the statement after an autopsy found that he was likely to have died from assault wounds. | Police initially said that Mr Ojwang died of self-inflicted wounds, but were forced to retract the statement after an autopsy found that he was likely to have died from assault wounds. |
| Mr Lagat denied any wrongdoing, but said in a statement that he was stepping aside in the "good and conscious thought" of his responsibilities as deputy police chief. | Mr Lagat denied any wrongdoing, but said in a statement that he was stepping aside in the "good and conscious thought" of his responsibilities as deputy police chief. |
| "I undertake to provide any support that may be required of me during the investigations of the unfortunate incident," Mr Lagat said. | "I undertake to provide any support that may be required of me during the investigations of the unfortunate incident," Mr Lagat said. |
| "I offer immense condolences to the family of Mr Albert Ojwang for their great loss," he added. | "I offer immense condolences to the family of Mr Albert Ojwang for their great loss," he added. |
| Until the investigation is concluded, Mr Lagat will have no access to his office, and his duties will be performed by his deputy. | Until the investigation is concluded, Mr Lagat will have no access to his office, and his duties will be performed by his deputy. |
| This comes amid intensifying pressure, with more demonstrations planned this week by activists demanding a transparent investigation into the 31-year-old blogger's death. | This comes amid intensifying pressure, with more demonstrations planned this week by activists demanding a transparent investigation into the 31-year-old blogger's death. |
| Mr Ojwang was arrested in his village of Kakoth, near the western town of Homa Bay, on 7 June. He was then driven to the main police station in Nairobi, and was reported to have died a few days later. | Mr Ojwang was arrested in his village of Kakoth, near the western town of Homa Bay, on 7 June. He was then driven to the main police station in Nairobi, and was reported to have died a few days later. |
| Kenya's President William Ruto spoke with Mr Ojiang's father, Meshack Opiyo, following his son's death, the local Daily Nation news site reports. | |
| "He [Ruto] said: 'I'm sorry,' and we spoke at length. His words were sincere," Mr Opiyo is quoted as saying. | |
| Ruto promised to give the family two million Kenyan shillings ($15,500; £11,4000) to help cover funeral costs, while veteran opposition politician Raila Odinga, who also spoke to the family, pledged half the amount, the newspaper reports. | |
| In an initial statement, police said Mr Ojwang was found unconscious in his cell and was rushed to a city hospital, where he succumbed to head injuries allegedly sustained from banging his head against the wall. | In an initial statement, police said Mr Ojwang was found unconscious in his cell and was rushed to a city hospital, where he succumbed to head injuries allegedly sustained from banging his head against the wall. |
| But an autopsy report and an investigation by the police watchdog, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), ruled out the possibility that Mr Ojwang might have killed himself. | But an autopsy report and an investigation by the police watchdog, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), ruled out the possibility that Mr Ojwang might have killed himself. |
| While investigations continue, the head of the police station has been detained, along with another officer and a technician accused of disabling the station's CCTV. | While investigations continue, the head of the police station has been detained, along with another officer and a technician accused of disabling the station's CCTV. |
| Police chief Douglas Kanja has apologised for the initial police claim that the blogger died of self-inflicted wounds, saying it was based on "misinformation" from his juniors. | Police chief Douglas Kanja has apologised for the initial police claim that the blogger died of self-inflicted wounds, saying it was based on "misinformation" from his juniors. |
| Ruto has called for a swift investigation, and has promised that his government would "protect citizens from rogue police officers". | |
| Ruto first pledged to end Kenya's history of police brutality and extrajudicial killings when he came to power in 2022. | Ruto first pledged to end Kenya's history of police brutality and extrajudicial killings when he came to power in 2022. |
| But nearly 160 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances were reported across Kenya last year, according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC). | But nearly 160 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances were reported across Kenya last year, according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC). |
| At least 20 people have died while in police detention in the past four months alone, according to the IPOA. | At least 20 people have died while in police detention in the past four months alone, according to the IPOA. |
| More BBC stories on Kenya: | More BBC stories on Kenya: |
| BBC identifies security forces who shot Kenya anti-tax protesters | BBC identifies security forces who shot Kenya anti-tax protesters |
| Batons, tear gas, live fire - Kenyans face police brutality | Batons, tear gas, live fire - Kenyans face police brutality |
| Why Kenya's president has so many nicknames | Why Kenya's president has so many nicknames |
| Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. |
| Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica |