Following the contentious death of schoolteacher and social media celebrity Albert Ojwang while in police detention, protesters flocked to Nairobi on Thursday, calling for Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat to resign. Businesses were forced to close and traffic in the capital was stopped as protesters hoisted Kenyan flags and placards that said, “Stop Killing Us.” They chanted for justice and charged cops with political repression and brutality. After attacking Lagat in a post, Ojwang—who had gained notoriety as a platform X online commentator—was taken into custody last weekend. Later, under circumstances that the public has labelled as mysterious and strange, he passed away while in detention.
Tear gas and clashes in the streets
Tensions erupted in downtown Nairobi as protesters and police fought. Hours of mayhem resulted from a tear gas crackdown after some young people threw stones at police. The streets were filled with cries of resistance and solidarity. One protester remarked, “This is about the culture of impunity, not just one individual.” A number of policemen involved in the case have been suspended by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which has also opened an investigation. However, civil society organisations are demanding Lagat’s immediate resignation and argue that responsibility needs to be raised.
Ojwang’s death ignites wider outrage
Ojwang became a respected and relevant voice among Kenyan youth thanks to his social media presence. Many have viewed his death as a part of a broader trend of security forces abusing their power and suppressing the state. In addition to denouncing the occurrence as “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” President William Ruto promised a “swift, transparent, and credible investigation.”
Budget timing fuels anger
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi read the national budget for 2025–2026 at the same time as the protest. The time brought to mind the upheaval that occurred during the 2024 budget season last year, when Kenyans demonstrated against economic hardship and increased taxes. Public opinion is still erratic even if police maintain that they are assisting with the IPOA’s investigation. For many Kenyans, this issue serves as a barometer of the government’s capacity to hold itself accountable.
