Clashes broke out in downtown Nairobi on Tuesday as protesters took to the streets to demand justice for Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and blogger who died in police custody earlier this month. One person was killed during the violence as unidentified men on motorbikes, wielding whips and clubs, descended on the demonstrators.
Eyewitnesses and journalists at the scene reported that the attackers chanted “No protest” as they dispersed the crowd. A Reuters reporter confirmed seeing a man lying motionless on the ground, bleeding from the head. His identity and cause of death remain unknown.
Militias Used to Quell Protests
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International Kenya, condemned the use of armed civilians against peaceful protesters, warning it could escalate “lawlessness and chaos.” Footage shared by local broadcaster NTV showed coordinated attacks against demonstrators, while police reportedly stood by without intervening.
“They cornered us and beat us with whips while police watched,” said Hanifa Adan, a prominent youth activist from the 2023 Gen Z protests.
Mounting Anger Over Police Brutality
The protest was sparked by the death of Ojwang, who was arrested in Homa Bay for allegedly criticizing Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat. Initially, authorities claimed he died from self-inflicted injuries by banging his head against a cell wall. However, an autopsy revealed blunt force trauma inconsistent with that explanation.
“The injuries were unlikely to be self-inflicted,” the government’s pathologist reported.
In response, President William Ruto called Ojwang’s death “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” acknowledging that he died at the hands of the police. He vowed to take action against rogue officers and promised reforms.
Casualties and Arrests Mount
According to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), over 20 people have died in police custody in Kenya in the last four months. Following Ojwang’s death, two senior officers and a civilian have been arrested, while Deputy Police Chief Lagat has stepped down temporarily.
Protests also erupted in Mombasa, where demonstrators carried placards reading “Stop killing us”, adding to the growing national outrage over extrajudicial killings and police impunity.
