Kenya Protests Over Blogger Albert Ojwang’s Death in Police Custody Lead to Officer Arrests, Multiple Protester Deaths

Protests have erupted across Kenya, particularly in Nairobi, following the death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old political blogger, teacher, and social media influencer, who died in police custody on June 8, 2025. Ojwang was arrested after publicly accusing Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat of corruption. Authorities initially claimed Ojwang's fatal injuries were self-inflicted, but a post-mortem examination contradicted this, prompting widespread public outrage. Demonstrations have included road blockades near Parliament and the Treasury, vehicle torching, and clashes between protesters and security forces, with police responding by firing tear gas.

The unrest has spread beyond Nairobi to other parts of the country, including Mombasa. The protests have led to at least one confirmed death during the demonstrations and reports indicate that over 20 protesters have been killed in the past two weeks amid escalating violence. In response to the unrest, Kenyan authorities arrested a police constable in connection with Ojwang's death and another officer for shooting an unarmed civilian during the protests. Protesters continue to demand justice for Ojwang and call for the resignation of Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat, accusing the police of brutality, misconduct, and extrajudicial killings.