Police officers deployed to disperse protesters in Nairobi’s Central Business District have resorted to using live bullets.
A group of activists marched through the city, chanting in unison and calling for justice following the death of Albert Ojwang.
The protesters regrouped at the junction of Harambee Avenue and Moi Avenue after being blocked by police from proceeding to Parliament as initially planned.
Officers lobbed tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
Several businesses temporarily shut down as protesters and police engaged in running battles.
The demonstration unfolded as National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and his team were preparing to walk to Parliament to present the national budget.
The confrontations continued into the early afternoon, with additional tear gas canisters deployed.
Some individuals reportedly joined the crowd, prompting further business closures.
By 1:30 pm, the standoff was ongoing.
Police indicated that they would not permit the demonstration to proceed, citing concerns over criminal infiltration.
The protests, which began around 11 am, included calls for the resignation and arrest of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.
Ojwang was reported dead on June 8, 2025. An official report indicated the cause of death as strangulation and assault.
