{"id":50136,"date":"2025-06-20T11:52:44","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T15:52:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/unrelated-image-of-injured-man-falsely-linked-to-death-of-kenyan-killed-in-police-custody\/20\/06\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-06-20T11:52:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T15:52:44","slug":"unrelated-image-of-injured-man-falsely-linked-to-death-of-kenyan-killed-in-police-custody","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/unrelated-image-of-injured-man-falsely-linked-to-death-of-kenyan-killed-in-police-custody\/20\/06\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Unrelated image of injured man falsely linked to death of Kenyan killed in police custody"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\"><span>Kenyan teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang died in police custody in June 2025 after he was arrested over social media posts criticising a senior police official. Posts published on social media recently claim to show an injured Ojwang at the police station before his death. But this is false; the image is of a Kenyan leader\u2019s driver who was allegedly assaulted by police officers in western Kenya\u2019s Kakamega county.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>\u201cA photo of Albert Ojwang when he was alive. Has resurfaced at the Central Police Station reception. His shirt was torn, and he was bleeding from the head (<em>sic<\/em>),\u201d reads an <a href=\"https:\/\/mvau.lt\/media\/1c0d3651-fdac-4b3c-902b-b0a703c82525\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:X post;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>X post<\/span><\/span><\/a> published on June 9, 2025, and shared more than 600 times.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshot of the false post, taken on June 18, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>The image shows a man with a bloodied face and a torn shirt standing with his head tilted upwards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>Similar claims were published elsewhere on X <a href=\"https:\/\/mvau.lt\/media\/41d6359b-8a57-446b-a643-74e547983a45\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/mvau.lt\/media\/feaecee3-000f-4028-b5bf-5640e7cc37d9\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\"><span>Fatal arrest<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher, was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barrons.com\/news\/kenya-police-say-death-in-custody-victim-criticised-officer-online-5f2a6040\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:reportedly;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>reportedly<\/span><\/span><\/a> arrested on June 6, 2025, in Western Kenya, and transported to the central police station in Kenya\u2019s capital Nairobi. He was accused of criticising deputy inspector general Eliud Lagat on social media (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/993Z-85RV\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>He was reported dead two days later, with police initially claiming he died after hitting his head against a cell wall. However, a pathologist\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barrons.com\/news\/kenya-police-custody-victim-killed-by-blows-to-head-pathologist-1e978182\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:report;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>report<\/span><\/span><\/a> indicated injuries consistent with assault (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/SL73-7LU8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>Ojwang\u2019s death sparked public outrage, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barrons.com\/news\/kenya-presents-budget-a-year-after-massive-demos-05f8354c\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:resulted;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>resulted<\/span><\/span><\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barrons.com\/news\/nine-hurt-as-kenya-police-motorbike-goons-clash-with-protesters-ec528c77\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:protests;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>protests<\/span><\/span><\/a> demanding justice and Lagat\u2019s resignation (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/7SD3-6DNX\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/XM54-SVUU\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>Lagat has since announced he would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barrons.com\/news\/embattled-kenya-police-deputy-steps-aside-after-death-in-custody-3ef29a05\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:\u201cstep aside\u201d;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>\u201cstep aside<\/span><span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/a> from his position amid ongoing investigations. Additionally, two police officers and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.digital\/news\/technician-accused-of-cctv-tampering-in-blogger-ojwangs-murder-to-be-detained-for-14-days-n364728\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:technician;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>technician<\/span><\/span><\/a> accused of tampering with CCTV footage at the station have been arrested in connection with Ojwang\u2019s death (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/K8CP-A7NM\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/KYH6-GGAX\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>However, the posts purportedly showing an image of Ojwang at the station before he died are false.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\"><span>Unrelated image<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>AFP Fact Check conducted <a href=\"https:\/\/factcheck.afp.com\/doc.afp.com.36RH9NT\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:reverse image searches;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">reverse image searches<\/a> and found the original image <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/cleophasmalalah\/posts\/pfbid0DDotEBM39G9zSoo6GCGzkyTyfQWXm6i1iGYjvu8UTjzCbujtxF2gisfnNJdKeig3l\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:published;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>published<\/span><\/span><\/a> on Facebook by ex-Kakamega county senator Cleophas Malala on June 9, 2025, alongside claims that his driver was assaulted by police (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/mvau.lt\/media\/fcf718f2-d8a9-45bb-9f03-efa5577c03eb\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>\u201cThe Kakamega OCPD &#8211; a one MR. ROTICH and three other uniformed officers trailed my vehicle and forced my driver to stop,\u201d he wrote. \u201c*Disappointingly, upon confirming I was not on board, they commanded him to drive to an unknown destination. When he refused, they assaulted him so severely using a gun pointer that he was left profusely bleeding (sic).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>\u201cThis is unconscionable brutality by those sworn to protect us,\u201d he continued. \u201cOur nation sinks deeper into lawlessness when officers become perpetrators. We will not be intimidated\u2014we are formally filing a complaint with IPOA (Independent Policing Oversight Authority).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span>The incident was also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenyans.co.ke\/news\/112932-malala-narrates-brutal-attack-his-driver-ocpd-and-other-officers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:reported;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>reported<\/span><\/span><\/a> by local <a href=\"https:\/\/k24.digital\/411\/malala-accuses-police-of-assaulting-his-driver-in-kakamega\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:media;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>media<\/span><\/span><\/a> (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/4VNE-4MET\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/Q3C5-BBEB\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span><span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/unrelated-image-injured-man-falsely-151051361.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kenyan teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang died in police custody in June 2025 after he was arrested over social media posts criticising<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/unrelated-image-of-injured-man-falsely-linked-to-death-of-kenyan-killed-in-police-custody\/20\/06\/2025\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/bd1de1d22fb3cab1d3a359024e0022ca","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50136"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50136"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50136\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}