Tear gas fired at youths demanding Deputy IG Lagat’s resignation in Nairobi CBD
The group was protesting the killing of Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody on Sunday morning.
Police were forced to lob tear gas canisters at youths protesting in Nairobi’s central business district on Thursday, June 12, as they demanded the resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.
The protesters marched through major streets, including City Hall, Moi Avenue, and Harambee Avenue, blocking traffic and causing disruptions.
The protests came just hours before Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi was set to present the 2025/2026 Budget.
The group was broken up by anti-riot police who were waiting outside the National Police Service headquarters at Jogoo House.
Police said they would not allow the protesters to move past that point or get to Harambee Avenue, where they had planned to camp, as Treasury CS John Mbadi was set to read his budget.
The group scattered and ran towards Moi Avenue.
Young people and activists carrying flags and placards. had gathered to protest, demanding justice for the death of Ojwang.
There was a strong police presence, stopping protesters from getting to Parliament Road.
They sang the national anthem while calling for the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
Human rights activist Hussein Khalid led the youth in their call for justice.
“No justice, no budget,” protesters shouted.
Even as police fired tear gas at them, the peaceful protesters kept chanting.
“You cannot kill us and lead us,” read one of the placards.
The protest started small, but more and more people joined as it went on.
Ojwang, a teacher and digital activist, was arrested in Homa Bay on June 7 and taken over 350 kilometres to Nairobi.
He was booked at the Central Police Station.
Police said he was arrested for “false publication” linked to social media posts criticizing Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.
At first, police claimed he died by suicide while in custody.
However, a post-mortem done by five pathologists told a different story.
It showed Ojwang had serious head injuries, neck compression, and heavy soft tissue damage.
