Kenya – Public outrage over blogger’s death sparks fresh anti-government protests

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In recent days, tensions have flared in Kenya over the death of Albert Ojwang, the social media influencer who died in police custody after being arrested for "false publication" linked to social media posts critical of the Deputy Inspector General. Police initially claimed he died "after hitting his head against a cell wall.” Protests erupted on 12 and 17 June 2025 in Nairobi as the protesters accused the police of brutality. The protests came as the country marks a year since mass ‘Generation Z’-led protests over the economy and the 2024 finance bill.

Who is Ojwang?

Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and digital activist, was arrested in Homa Bay on 07 June 2025 over social media posts critical of the Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat. He alleged in several posts on X that Lagat was running corrupt operations in the police by placing trusted officers in specific departments and traffic shifts to "control both revenue streams and intelligence flow". Lagat reportedly submitted a complaint to the DCI on 04 June about the posts. Following Ojwang’s arrest, he was transferred to the central police station in Nairobi and charged with publishing false information under cybercrime laws. 3

On 08 June 2025, he was found unconscious in his cell. Police initially claimed that he had hit his head against a police cell wall, suggesting he had committed suicide. However, an autopsy report ruled out the possibility that Ojwang had killed himself. On 16 June 2025, Lagat announced his decision to “step aside”, pending the conclusion of investigations into Ojwang’s death. President William Ruto said Ojwang died "at the hands of the police,” hoping to distance himself and his administration from the incident.

Public outrage and police response

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said that a senior police officer, who was in charge of the Central Police Station, was arrested along with a closed-circuit television (CCTV) technician called to dismantle the CCTV at the station. According to IPOA’s report, the CCTV system at the station had been interfered with, and records were "changed and formatted" in the early hours of 15 June 2025.

In response to the incident, hundreds of protesters gathered in Nairobi's Central Business District to protest on 12 June 2025. The demonstrators marched through Moi Avenue and Kenyatta Avenue before being confronted by anti-riot police. Several properties in the Business District along Ronald Ngala Street, Tom Mboya Street, Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue, Parliament Road, City Hall Way, Muindi Mbingu Street, Koinange Street, and Haile Selassie Avenue were reportedly destroyed during the protests. Some businesses also closed down over fears of violence and looting. The demonstrators blocked the road leading to parliament, where the Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, presented the Budget.

Similar scenes were witnessed in Nairobi on 17 June 2025 as police clashed with hundreds of protesters. Businesses along Moi Avenue, Kimathi Street, and adjacent areas were forced to shut down or reduce operations. A number of protesters were attacked by motorbike-riding individuals who were armed with crude weapons, including knives and clubs. Videos show individuals allegedly working with police, who fired tear gas to try and disrupt the demonstrations. Police denied the claims.

Tensions then escalated when police threw teargas canisters at the crowd gathered along Kimathi Street near the Nation Media offices. A hawker, later named Boniface Kariuki, who was selling face masks around Moi Avenue, was reportedly shot at close range. The shooting was captured by onlookers and shared on social media. The video footage showed police officers assaulting Kariuki before one of them shot him in the head. Moments later, a group of civilians were seen carrying the man, who was bleeding profusely.

The National Police Service (NPS) Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga announced that investigations into the incident had already commenced and that the officers had been arrested. The Kenyatta Hospital said it had treated over 10 people who were injured during the protests, suffering from gunshot wounds and blunt-force trauma.

Police brutality allegations in Kenya

Ojwang’s death while in police custody, the resulting public outrage, and the alleged heavy-handed response to the protestors can be largely viewed as a crackdown on freedom of expression by the Kenyan government and police misconduct. Although President Ruto pledged to end police brutality and extrajudicial killings when he came into power in 2022, the issue has persisted.

A 2024 report by Amnesty International Kenya and Human Rights Watch titled “Unchecked Injustice: Kenya’s Suppression of the 2023 Protests” revealed that police used excessive and unnecessary force against protesters and bystanders, including by using lethal ammunition, kinetic impact projectiles, such as “rubber bullets,” torture and other ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention, and committed serious abuses against children under the age of 18 during the May-July 2023 protests.

The report also revealed that at least 31 people were killed and hundreds more were injured during the protests. Also, during the anti-finance bill protests in 2024, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said that over 50 people died in relation to the protests.

Forecast and risk to businesses

In the coming days and weeks, anti-government sentiments are likely to intensify as public pressure continues to mount on Kenyan authorities. As the situation remains unstable, sporadic or planned protests are likely to spring up in areas such as Nairobi and Mombasa, increasing Kenya’s country risk profile. This is likely to result in disruptions to business operations and travel within the Central Business District. Violence is also likely, as government security forces often respond with force, leading to clashes and fatalities.

The recurrence of protests could deter foreign investment, particularly in sectors that are heavily reliant on government cooperation. Kenya is one of the leading investment destinations for companies across the African continent, particularly due to its vibrant, youthful workforce. For further information on how this development could impact your business, please contact Global Situational Awareness at gsoc@global-sa.co.uk.