Protesters in Kenya have clashed with club-wielding young men, who are believed to be loyal to the government, in the centre of the capital, Nairobi.
The protest, carried out in the aftermath of the death in custody 10 days ago of Albert Ojwang, blogger and teacher, was called to push for the sacking of a high ranking police officer.
At first, Police said, Mr Ojwang passed away of self-inflicted wounds, however, were forced to renounce the statement after an autopsy discovered that it was likely he died after being assaulted. Two policemen have been apprehended in connection with the death.
The demonstration is coming in the midst of boiling tension ahead of next week’s first anniversary of the storming of parliament by protesters.
On Tuesday, earlier, there were series of violence in the central business district of the capital when groups of young men riding motorbikes, armed with whips and clubs, struck protesters.
Via a statement, the police disclosed it was aware of “an incident involving [the] shooting of an unarmed civilian by a police officer using an anti-riot shotgun”.
It further disclosed, the policeman allegedly responsible has since been apprehended.
Officers had been deployed across major parts of the city, in a move to prevent protesters from accessing major intersections and government buildings.
Eliud Lagat, Deputy Police Chief, has stepped aside as an investigation into Mr Ojwang’s death is under way.
The situation remains uneasy in the Kenyan Capital. Most businesses in the city centre are closed and there are visibly fewer people than normal on the streets.
Photo: Protesters hold a Kenyan flag as they take cover from tear gas and rubber bullets as clashes erupt between demonstrators and police on June 12, 2025. Luis Tato/AFP via Al Jazeera
