Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Nairobi, demanding justice for Albert Ojwang, a teacher and online activist who died under controversial circumstances while in police custody. Anger has surged as demonstrators call for accountability, insisting that authorities must take responsibility for his death.
Public fury erupted after police detained Ojwang on June 7, 2025, in Homa Bay, then transported him over 350 kilometers to Nairobi’s Central Police Station. Authorities initially claimed he had died by suicide, but a post-mortem examination proved otherwise. The results revealed severe head trauma, neck compression, and extensive soft tissue injuries; clear evidence that contradicted the official account. The shocking findings fueled widespread outrage and galvanized activists into action.
On June 12, 2025, protesters stormed Nairobi’s Central Business District, carrying placards that read #JusticeForOjwang and chanting slogans against police brutality. Determined to make their voices heard, they marched through key locations, including City Hall, Jeevanjee Gardens, and Parliament Buildings. They directed their demands at Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, who had filed the complaint that led to Ojwang’s arrest, insisting that he step down.
Police swiftly responded, deploying tear gas and crowd-control tactics to disperse the crowds along Moi Avenue and Kenyatta Avenue. Despite the crackdown, activists remained defiant, vowing to continue their demonstrations. They argued that Ojwang’s case exposed deep-rooted problems in Kenya’s law enforcement, particularly impunity, secrecy, and unchecked force.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an investigation, identifying Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Benjamin Talam as the main suspect. However, authorities have yet to make an arrest, further stoking public frustration. Civil society groups have intensified their calls for urgent police reforms, pointing to Ojwang’s death as another example of extrajudicial killings.
Activists have planned nationwide demonstrations under the banner “Total Shutdown – No More Deaths, Justice for Albert Ojwang”.
