Police lob tear gas as youths protest in Nairobi CBD over Ojwang's death, demanding Lagat's resignation
The youths occupied important roads such as Harambee Avenue, attempting to breach the security perimeter around Parliament. Police used tear gas and other crowd-control tactics to disperse the crowds.
Police were forced to lob tear gas canisters at youths protesting in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Thursday, June 12. The protesters were demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat as they marched through key locations, including City Hall, Moi Avenue, and Harambee Avenue.
The youths occupied important roads such as Harambee Avenue, attempting to breach the security perimeter around Parliament. Police used tear gas and other crowd-control tactics to disperse the crowds.
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The protests are set to disrupt activities in the area just hours before Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi was scheduled to read the 2025/2026 Budget.
The police blocked them from proceeding to Harambee Avenue, where they had planned to hold a protest as Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi is set to present the national budget.
Police said they could not allow the protesters to move beyond Jogoo House. The group eventually scattered and ran towards Moi Avenue.
The protesters carried placards and flags and sang the national anthem while calling for the resignation of Lagat.
Human rights activist Hussein Khalid led the group in the peaceful demonstration. Protesters chanted, “No justice, no budget,” as they faced off with police who blocked access to Parliament Road.
Despite teargas being fired at them, the protesters continued chanting. One of the placards read, “You cannot kill us and lead us.”
What started as a small gathering quickly grew as more people joined from different parts of the city.
Ojwang, a teacher and digital activist, was arrested in Homa Bay on June 7 and taken more than 350 kilometres away to Nairobi. He was held at Central Police Station.
Police said he was arrested over “false publication” related to social media posts that criticised Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat. They initially claimed that Ojwang took his own life while in custody.
However, a post-mortem done by five pathologists gave a different account. It showed Ojwang had serious head injuries, neck compression and heavy soft tissue damage.
Government Pathologist Dr Bernard Midia said the injuries did not support the suicide claim. He said they were “consistent with a violent assault.”
Protesters assemble outside City Hall in Nairobi’s Central Business District, demanding justice after the killing of Albert Ojwang’, calling for the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat. pic.twitter.com/BTxexhtN8x
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 12, 2025
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