Police Brutality Sparks Fatal Clashes as Protests Grip Kenya -what went down

Nairobi and other major Kenyan cities, including Mombasa, were rocked by ongoing protests on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, as citizens demanded accountability for the death of political blogger Albert Ojwang. Ojwang, arrested on June 6 for allegedly defaming a senior police official, died in custody just two days later. While police initially claimed he sustained a head injury by hitting a cell wall, a subsequent pathology report contradicted this, indicating "head injury, neck compression and other injuries spread all over the body that are pointing towards assault."
 

The "Justice for Albert Ojwang" movement has gained significant momentum, drawing large crowds and leading to confrontations with anti-riot police who deployed tear gas. Reports from human rights groups indicate at least one protester was fatally shot in Nairobi on Tuesday, and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) documented 22 casualties, including those with gunshot wounds. Disturbingly, there were also reports of "goons" disrupting peaceful demonstrations, further escalating tensions.
 

In a significant development, a police officer was arrested on Tuesday following a widely circulated video that appeared to show him shooting an unarmed mask vendor in Nairobi. The arrest was ordered by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja. This comes after Deputy Inspector General Eliud Langat, the complainant in the defamation case against Ojwang, formally stepped aside on Monday to allow for investigations. Samson Talam, the officer commanding the Central Police Station where Ojwang died, and another colleague, James Mukhwana, were also arrested last week.
 

President William Ruto has publicly condemned Ojwang's death, attributing it to "rogue police officers" and vowing to protect citizens. However, critics and opposition figures are calling for deeper reforms and full accountability, citing a history of police brutality in Kenya. In response to the outcry, the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport has announced a directive for CCTV cameras to be installed in all police stations nationwide within two years, a measure aimed at increasing transparency and preventing future incidents.
 

In other news, President Ruto assented to the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at bolstering efforts against financial crimes. Parliament also rejected a proposal that would have granted the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) extensive access to citizens' personal and financial data. Economically, the Central Bank of Kenya recently lowered its Central Bank Rate to 9.75%, seeking to stimulate credit and growth amidst ongoing discussions about public debt and fiscal strategies.