The streets of Nairobi are once again a crucible of public discontent, and at the core of the simmering tension lies a deeply uncomfortable question for Kenya's National Police Service (NPS): How can an institution tasked with upholding law and order regain public trust when, even in the full glare of public scrutiny, its actions frequently provoke condemnation? The protests that erupted on June 17, 2025, have put the police firmly back on the spot, fueling critical debate on whether officers are merely running on problematic command directives or if a culture of impunity allows them to go rogue, particularly following the tragic death of blogger Albert Ojwang in their custody.
The protests, which have spread from Nairobi to Mombasa and several smaller towns, were directly touched off by the death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and blogger. Ojwang's demise in police detention has re-inflamed long-standing accusations of extrajudicial killings and police brutality by security forces across Kenya.
Amidst the demonstrations on Tuesday, June 17, a disturbing video emerged, aired on Kenyan broadcaster Citizen Television's X account. The footage depicted two policemen repeatedly striking a man on the head. As the man attempted to walk away, one of the officers fired at him with a long-barrelled gun, causing him to fall to the ground while shouts of "You have killed him!" erupted from the crowd. Another video, published on the Nation newspaper's website, featured a witness who explicitly stated the shooting victim was selling face masks and was not a protester, adding a layer of tragic irony to the violence. While it remains unclear if these videos depict the same incident, they collectively paint a stark picture of unprovoked aggression.
In a swift response to the outrage, police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed that an officer who fired his anti-riot gun at a civilian had been arrested. "Following this incident, the Inspector-General [of the] National Police Service ordered the immediate arrest and arraignment in court of the involved officer," Nyaga stated, a move signaling an attempt by the police leadership to address the public outcry and demonstrate accountability.
The shooting incident and Ojwang's death are not isolated events. The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has reported a staggering 21 other injuries from the recent protests across Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale counties. These injuries range from gunshot wounds, head cuts, and whip lashes to blunt trauma and asthma attacks from inhaling teargas, illustrating the widespread and often indiscriminate use of force against demonstrators. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has also alarmingly noted over 20 deaths in police custody in the past four months alone, reinforcing a pattern of grave concern.
Protesters are demanding more than just isolated arrests. Their calls are loud and clear: they want systemic change and accountability from the top. Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat has already stepped aside as an investigation into Mr. Ojwang's death is underway. However, activists insist he must be removed from office entirely, given that it was his complaint against the blogger that initially led to Ojwang's arrest. "We shall not be intimidated. We shall remain unbowed. We want Lagat to step aside," one protester told the BBC. Another added, "We want the guy to resign and we want the guy to be arrested. We want him to sit there and answer questions, you know. [He is] still on the payroll, still enjoying taxpayers' money."
