Protesters flooded the streets of Nairobi on Tuesday, demanding justice for Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher who died in police custody under suspicious circumstances. The demonstrations, met with tear gas and heavy police presence, have reignited nationwide anger over police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and government crackdowns on dissent.
A Teacher’s Death Sparks National Outrage
Ojwang, a beloved educator and social media influencer, was arrested on June 7, 2025, accused of publishing a “defamatory” post under Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. Police claimed his X (formerly Twitter) account, @finest_likoni, was linked to the hashtag #MafiaPolice—an allegation now under scrutiny.
However, records show his last known activity involved a different campaign, #TransformingKajiado, which praised local governor Joseph Ole Lenku. This inconsistency has raised questions about the validity of the charges against him.
Instead, records show his last activity on June 6 involved a completely unrelated campaign, #TransformingKajiado, which praised local governor Joseph Ole Lenku. This discrepancy directly contradicts claims made by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who testified under oath in the Senate that Ojwang had posted “similar defamatory content.”
A Pattern of Silencing Critics?
Ojwang’s case mirrors that of Kelvin Moinde, another Kenyan influencer arrested days earlier on the same charges. Both were young men with substantial social media followings, using their platforms for brand promotions, political commentary, and sports updates. Friends say the two knew each other, raising concerns about a targeted crackdown on online critics.
Who Was Albert Ojwang?
A family man and passionate teacher, Ojwang graduated from Pwani University in 2023 and often posted about his love for Manchester United, earning the nickname “Alberto Januzaj” after the former club player. His final Facebook post on June 1, 2025, read: “Teaching is a call.”
Protests Turn Violent as Police Double Down
As activists gathered near Nation Centre in Nairobi’s CBD, police fired tear gas to disperse crowds. Authorities had preemptively deployed around key areas, including the National Archives, anticipating mass demonstrations.
Human rights groups are now demanding:
An independent autopsy of Ojwang’s body
A full audit of police conduct in his arrest
Repeal of repressive cyber laws used to silence dissent
Government Under Fire
The Kenyan government faces mounting pressure as #JusticeForAlbert trends nationwide, with citizens and international observers condemning what many call state-sponsored repression.
“If the police can fabricate evidence to justify killing an innocent teacher, who is safe?” asked activist Wanjiku Mwangi at today’s protest.
As tensions escalate, Kenya’s struggle for police accountability shows no signs of slowing down.
