Human rights activist Hussein Khalid on Tuesday, June 17 claimed he was ambushed by a group of unidentified individuals during ongoing protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).

Khalid, who joined fellow demonstrators demanding justice for the late teacher Albert Ojwang’, alleges that the goons attacked him near Kenyatta Avenue shortly before noon.

Ojwang’ reportedly died while in police custody on June 7, sparking nationwide outrage and calls for accountability.

“I have just been accosted by goons on Kenyatta Avenue who roughed me up kiasi before I escaped and crossed the road to the other side,” the Haki Africa Executive Director stated.

“After I escaped, I managed to take a video of them walking on towards the GPO area,” he added.

The attackers, described as young men, some armed with batons and others wearing face masks, stormed the CBD and disrupted the peaceful protests.

Witnesses have reported seeing the group engage demonstrators in running battles, with scenes of chaos unfolding as the group forcefully dispersed the protesters while chanting, “We don’t want this nonsense.” Videos shared online have also shown the alleged attackers assaulting protestors, further escalating tensions in the city.

Meanwhile, police officers deployed to the scene also used tear gas canisters to disperse crowds that had begun assembling earlier in the morning.

The confrontation coincided with an earlier altercation involving a separate group of boda boda riders, suspected of trying to disrupt the protests.

The repeated clashes and increasing hostility overshadowed the core message of the protest: justice for Ojwang’.

The protestors have condemned the violent disruptions and called for an investigation into the deployment of what they termed as “hired goons” to sabotage the protests, asking for swift justice for Ojwang’ and protection for peaceful demonstrations in accordance with constitutional rights.