Nairobi’s Central Business District descended into chaos this afternoon as protesters set multiple vehicles ablaze, demanding justice for Albert Ojwang, the blogger who died while in police custody.
Ojwang’s death, initially reported as self-inflicted, has since been publicly acknowledged by President William Ruto as the result of police brutality. The confirmation followed a post-mortem report which revealed evidence of head trauma and neck compression, contradicting the original narrative.
Ojwang had been arrested in Homa Bay for allegedly defaming a senior police officer and was later transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station, where he died under suspicious circumstances. In response, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has suspended five officers and launched an investigation.
Chaos Erupts in the CBD
On June 12, 2025, the city saw its third straight day of protests, with demonstrators blocking key roads including City Hall Way and Moi Avenue. In a dramatic escalation, two vehicles were torched along Aga Khan Walk, while a third was visibly burning from the front.
Newly installed garbage bins meant to enhance city cleanliness were also vandalized, and attempts by protesters to breach Harambee Avenue led to violent clashes with police. Officers deployed tear gas to disperse crowds amid rising tension.
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Photos from the scene show charred car frames and defiant protesters chanting anti-government slogans, calling for the immediate resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat—a figure increasingly at the center of public outrage.
Public and Civil Society Outcry
As small businesses shuttered early and commuters struggled with roadblocks and congestion, civil society groups like Amnesty Kenya condemned the violence and reiterated calls for an independent, transparent investigation into Ojwang’s death.
“This is not just about one life,” said one protester. “It’s about the many lives lost or silenced without justice.”
The case has revived painful memories of past cases of police brutality, raising broader questions:
Will the IPOA investigation lead to true accountability, or only symbolic action?
Can Kenya’s police culture change under pressure?
What compensation or justice will Ojwang’s family receive?
And how far should protest go before it crosses into unacceptable destruction?
Situation Remains Volatile
As of this evening, security remains tight across the CBD, with a heightened police presence and rising tension. While many support the cause behind the demonstrations, concerns about property damage, public safety, and economic disruption continue to mount.
