Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) was gripped by widespread protests Thursday, June 12, 2025, following the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang’ while in police custody.

The demonstrations, which saw two vehicles torched at the Kenya Cinema, severely disrupted businesses and paralyzed transport in and out of the city centre, forcing many shop owners to close their premises.

Protesters gathered throughout the CBD, angrily demanding the resignation of the Deputy Inspector General of the National Police Service, Eliud Lagat.

Chants of “No justice, No budget” echoed through the streets, a direct reference to the ongoing reading of the 2025/26 National Budget by Cabinet Secretary for Treasury, John Mbadi.

Amidst fervent “Lagat must go” calls, the demonstrators sought justice for Albert Ojwang’, who tragically died on Sunday after his arrest for an alleged social media post deemed defamatory to DIG Lagat.

Ojwang’ was apprehended at his home in Homa Bay and subsequently transported to Nairobi’s Central Police Station before his death.

Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, in an earlier press briefing, had confirmed that Ojwang’s arrest stemmed from a formal complaint lodged by DIG Lagat.

Following Ojwang’s death, members of the public and a section of political leaders have intensified demands for Lagat’s resignation.

Officials from the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have since appeared before the Senate to address questions surrounding Ojwang’s death.

Initially, the police had claimed Ojwang’ died after hitting his head inside a cell, suggesting suicide. However, an independent examination of the body and a subsequent report by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) contradicted this statement.

When confronted with these discrepancies, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja was compelled to issue a public apology to the nation for the misleading statement from the National Police Service.

The protests escalated just as Cabinet Secretary for Treasury and Economic Planning, John Mbadi, was making his way to the National Assembly to deliver the national budget reading.

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