A man was shot and killed by a police officer during demonstrations in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
The protests were part of ongoing calls for justice over the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.
Preliminary reports claim the deceased was a hawker selling face masks during the justice for Ojwang protests in Nairobi CBD on Tuesday when he was killed.
Graphic images seen circulating on social media showed the man lying motionless on the ground holding what is believed to be face masks as fellow demonstrators look on in shock. His fellow mask vendor who wept bitterly, saying that the man was not a protestor.
Earlier footage captured the man in conversation with two police officers. Moments later, the two police officers are seen pushing him a moment that led to a brief altercation, during which one of the officers opened fire, fatally shooting the man.
The shooting has sparked fresh outrage, adding to public anger already inflamed by Ojwang’s death while in police custody. Through her X account President of the law Society of Kenya Faith Odhiambo shared the video writing simply ‘Unacceptable!’
People’s Liberation Party Leader Martha Karua has condemned the killing saying ”another endless extrajudicial execution today (Tuesday) in Nairobi CBD of a man selling masks. How many deaths will it take for you to stop this?”
The protests, which had begun peacefully earlier in the day, were marred by clashes with riot police and attacks by suspected hired goons on motorbikes. At least two motorcycles were torched by angry demonstrators who accused the riders of violently robbing protesters with the apparent protection of police.
Some of the demonstrators claimed that the goons on motorbikes were hired by one of the city’s top politician to disrupt the peaceful demonstrations.
Several journalists covering the demonstration also reported being harassed and robbed of their equipment and personal belongings.
The protestors, were demanding the arrest and prosecution of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat, whose complaint against Ojwang led to his arrest and eventual murder at the Central Police Station.
Ojwang, a vocal government critic and teacher, was arrested in Homa Bay on June 6 for allegedly defaming Lagat in social media posts. He was transferred to Nairobi and found dead two days later.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has named 17 officers as suspects in Ojwang’s death and arrested three so far, including the Central Police Station OCS. Civilian detainees and a CCTV technician are also under investigation.
