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.

NAIROBI (Reuters) -Kenyan President William Ruto said on Wednesday the death of a blogger in custody occurred "at the hands of the police", though he cautioned against premature judgements and called for patience with the investigation.

Outrage over the death of a Kenyan teacher and activist in police custody sparked protests in the capital Nairobi this week after doctors refuted a police claim that he had died in his cell from a self-inflicted head injury.