Nation in flames: What sparked Kenya’s deadly protests?

The dying of blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang in police custody on 8 June ignited flames of nationwide protests on 25 June. 

A video claimed that Deputy Inspector-Normal of Police Eliud Lagat was planning an extortion syndicate, which led to Ojwang’s concern. 

In distinction to the preliminary police declare that he dedicated suicide, his physique confirmed indicators of extreme torture.

Police claims that Ojwang had fatally struck his cranium in opposition to a wall had been refuted by authorities pathologist Dr Bernard Midia, who flatly denied the potential of self-harm. 

The post-mortem revealed vital smooth tissue lesions, cervical compression, and blunt power harm to the cranium, all of which had been in keeping with an assault slightly than self-harm.

OJWANG’S INFLUENCE ERUPTION

Earlier than changing into well-known as a digital activist on TikTok and X, 31-year-old Albert Omondi Ojwang taught Kiswahili and spiritual research at Moi Boys Excessive College in Voi, Taita Taveta County, southern Kenya. 

He frequently printed tapes detailing alleged unlawful arrests and bribery by visitors cops. 

On 6 June 2025, he recognized high-ranking officers concerned in “mafia-style” police corruption in a livestream. 

Ojwang overtly accused Officer James Mukhwana, Officer Commanding Station Samson Talaam, and Deputy Inspector-Normal Eliud Lagat of operating a police extortion ring. 

Later that evening, authorities took him into custody with no warrant or public rationalization.

Social media platforms, significantly TikTok and X (previously Twitter), helped #JusticeForOjwang garner nationwide consideration and intensify the protests.

NATIONWIDE DAMAGE AND FATALITIES 

As of 26 June, Amnesty Worldwide (AI) Kenya reported that gunshot wounds had triggered a whole bunch of accidents and 16 fatalities.

The Kenya Nationwide Fee on Human Rights (KNCHR), utilizing eyewitness stories, mortuary statistics, and hospital data, confirmed it.

Many shops, significantly in Nairobi and Mombasa, suffered looting, raging flames, or vandalism throughout rallies.

Merchants additionally reported property damages amounting to hundreds of thousands of Kenyan shillings.

Based on Reuters, not less than ten buildings in Nairobi’s central enterprise district had been on hearth.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHARGES

Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Samson Talaam, together with two extra law enforcement officials and three people, confronted costs of homicide.

Consequently, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson M. Ingonga indicted them in reference to Ojwang’s dying on 23 June 2025.

Moreover, the inside cupboard secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, known as the protesters “terrorism disguised as dissent”.

Many Western embassies and the United Nations (UN) expressed deep concern over the deaths.

They urged the Kenyan authorities to make sure accountability and defend human rights amid the disaster.

DO YOU BELIEVE JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED FOR OJWANG AND THE 16 KILLED?

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