Chaos erupted in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, as protests demanding justice for the late teacher and influencer Albert Ojwang’ turned deadly.
A man believed to be part of the demonstrations was fatally shot by a police officer at close range, triggering widespread outrage.
Graphic footage of the incident circulated online, showing the man lying motionless on the ground.
Human rights activist Hussein Khalid also reported being attacked by unidentified assailants during the protests, highlighting the volatile and unsafe nature of the day's events.
Despite Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat stepping aside, demonstrators insisted on full accountability and continued their calls for justice.
The protests quickly descended into mayhem as suspected goons infiltrated the crowds, mugging pedestrians and clashing violently with demonstrators.
Protester Shoot Dead
A man suspected to be a protester was shot and killed by a police officer during demonstrations in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
The protests were part of ongoing calls for justice over the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.
Preliminary reports claim the deceased was a hawker selling face masks during justice for Ojwang protests in Nairobi CBD on Tuesday.
Graphic images seen by The Star show the man lying motionless on the ground as fellow demonstrators look on in shock.
Earlier footage captured the man in conversation with two police officers. Moments later, an altercation broke out, during which one of the officers opened fire, fatally shooting the man.
The shooting has sparked fresh outrage, adding to public anger already inflamed by Ojwang’s controversial death while in police custody.
Activist Hussein Khalid caught up in Nairobi CBD protests
Human rights activist Hussein Khalid has alleged that he was attacked by a rival group of protesters during demonstrations in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Monday.
Khalid, who was part of a group demonstrating over the death of teacher Albert Ojwang’ in police custody, said he was accosted by unidentified men near Kenyatta Avenue and roughed up before managing to escape.
“Just been accosted by goons on Kenyatta Avenue who roughed me up kiasi before I escaped and crossed the road to the other side.
“After I escaped, I managed to take a video of them walking on towards the GPO.”
Ojwang demos: Pedestrians suffer as muggers have field day
Goons have infiltrated the ongoing protests in Nairobi CBD and are engaged in mugging pedestrians, especially in backstreets east of Moi Avenue.
So brazen are the daylight muggings that in some incidents, escaping pedestrians were pursued into matatus where they had gone to seek refuge.
With police and city askaris concentrated in uptown streets west of Moi Avenue near Parliament and other critical installations, the goons are having a field day in backstreets like Luthuli Avenue, Latema Road and River Road, sending pedestrians on a fleeting spree.
Shops remained closed as business owners stood outside to guard their property and keep looters at bay.
The protest turned chaotic, with lurid scenes of people gasping, blinded by teargas, and stumbling through the smoke.
Situation in Nairobi CBD: Motorcycle torched, rider clobbered as protesters clash with goons in Nairobi CBD
At least one motorcycle was torched and its rider injured after protesters clashed with suspected goons who stormed Nairobi’s Central Business District on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Protesters cornered a young man who was among a group riding on about 30 motorbikes, beating him senseless and leaving him for dead.
The riders had reportedly begun attacking demonstrators demanding justice for the late teacher and social media influencer, Albert Ochieng’ Ojwang’, who died in police custody on June 7.
Several individuals riding motorcycles had entered the CBD in what appeared to be an attempt to disrupt the ongoing protests, but were met with resistance.
Hundreds of boda boda riders moved through the city, some carrying up to four pillion passengers, and appeared to be deliberately intimidating the demonstrators.
They took over key roads in the city centre, including Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue, and Tom Mboya Street, seemingly to scuttle the Gen Z-led protests over Ojwang’s death.
Rungu-wielding men storm CBD, beat up protesters in chaotic clashes
Dozens of young men armed with rungus stormed Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, engaging protesters in running battles.
The youths, some of whom wore heavy clothing and face masks to conceal their identities, clashed with demonstrators demanding justice for Albert Ojwang’, the teacher and social media influencer who died in police custody on June 7.
The armed group arrived in the CBD shortly after midday and began chasing away protesters who had gathered earlier in the morning. In a live video, the rungu-wielding men were seen beating protesters and forcing them to retreat from the CBD.
“We don’t want this nonsense,” one of the attackers shouted at the camera as he and others descended on the protesters.
As the goons engaged protesters on one side, police were also lobbing teargas to disperse the demonstrators who flocked to the CBD.
Alleged goons on a motorbike storm the CBD to counter protests over Ojwang’s death
Several individuals riding motorcycles have stormed Nairobi’s Central Business District in an alleged attempt to disrupt ongoing protests.
Hundreds of boda boda riders are moving through the CBD, some carrying up to four pillion passengers, and appear to be deliberately intimidating demonstrators.
They have taken over key roads in the city centre, including Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue, and Tom Mboya Street, seemingly to scuttle protests against the death of Albert Ojwang’.
It remains unclear who mobilised the large group of youths, but they appear intent on countering the Gen Z-led demonstrations taking place across the capital.
The suspected goons, many wearing heavy clothing and face masks, have made it difficult for onlookers and authorities to identify them as they cause panic, forcing people to scamper for safety.
Teargas as protests kick off in Nairobi CBD over Ojwang's death
Protests have erupted in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) as Kenyans demand justice following the death of social media influencer and teacher Albert Ojwang’.
Police have been forced to lob teargas at demonstrators gathering at various points across the CBD, as Gen Z protestors call for accountability in Ojwang’s death.
Demonstrators have been pushing for the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat over Ojwang’s death.
Although Lagat stepped aside on Monday, June 16, 2025, pending the outcome of investigations, a section of Kenyans insists that his temporary withdrawal is not enough and are calling for his full resignation.
Along Moi Avenue, police were seen dispersing protesters who had gathered near the National Archives and Kencom areas.
A heavy presence of anti-riot police is being maintained in the streets following last week’s demonstrations, which saw several businesses vandalised and looted by criminals.
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