[PHOTOS]: Scenes from anti-DIG Lagat protests in Nairobi CBD

Protestors light fire on the streets of Nairobi CBD during demonstrations over the death of the late Albert Ojwang, on June 17, 2025/DOUGLAS OKIDDY

What began as peaceful demonstrations in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) over the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang quickly spiraled into chaos on Tuesday.

Clashes broke out between protesters, police, and suspected criminal elements.

The protests, organised by civil society groups and human rights activists, were meant to demand justice for Ojwang, who died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody.

Police officer fires teargas to disperse protestors during demonstrations over the death of the late Albert Ojwang, on June 17, 2025/DOUGLAS OKIDDY

Demonstrators called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat, whom they accuse of orchestrating Ojwang’s detention and covering up his death.

Some of the protestors clear the road during demonstrations over the death of Albert Ojwang, on June 17, 2025/DOUGLAS OKIDDY

Riot police were deployed early in the morning to key hotspots, including the National Archives, Kencom, and Parliament Road.

A mask vendor is carried after he was shot by a police officer during demonstrations over the death of the late Albert Ojwang, June 17, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY

Tensions rose sharply around 10:00 a.m. when officers began lobbing teargas canisters into the gathering crowds in an effort to disperse them.

A protester on a traffic lights pole during demonstrations over the death of the late Albert Ojwang, on June 17, 2025/DOUGLAS OKIDDY

Chaos intensified as suspected goons infiltrated the protests, violently attacking demonstrators and robbing them in broad daylight.

Eyewitnesses reported multiple cases of people being stripped of their mobile phones, cash, and other valuables as police watched or were overwhelmed.

In one particularly volatile moment, protesters set fire to several motorcycles believed to belong to the assailants, as anger over the attacks boiled over.

A shop that was vandalised during demonstrations over the death of the late Albert Ojwang, on June 17, 2025/DOUGLAS OKIDDY

The unrest took a deadly turn after a street vendor was shot by police amid the chaos.

Graphic footage and images widely circulated online show the man, who appeared to be selling face masks, lying in a pool of blood as shocked demonstrators looked on.

His hands were still clutched around the merchandise he was carrying.

Protesters clash with police during demonstrations over the death of the late Albert Ojwang, on June 17, 2025/DOUGLAS OKIDDY

The shooting drew swift condemnation from leaders, including Martha Karua, who called it “another extrajudicial execution” and demanded accountability from the National Police Service.

As the day wore on, much of the CBD remained locked down, with many businesses forced to close and commuters caught in the crossfire.