Kenya Faces Reckoning In Second Deadly Protest

Millions of Kenyans have poured into the streets nationwide since Wednesday, June 25, to mark the first anniversary of the deadly protests against President William Ruto’s controversial tax bill, but this year’s demonstrations were far more than a remembrance; they were a reckoning.

The protest, which began as a commemoration protest, quickly evolved into a massive uprising against entrenched police brutality, with the horrifying death of 31-year-old blogger and former schoolteacher Albert Ojwang in police custody earlier this month as a catalyst. 

Ojwang’s case and the violent crackdown that followed have ignited a wave of national outrage and international condemnation. In the eyes of many Kenyans, his death is not an isolated incident. It is the latest chapter in a long and bloody history of state violence and impunity. 

 Police Brutality Against Citizens

Albert Ojwang, a trained teacher who had recently turned to political blogging, was arrested on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in his home village of Kakoth, near Homa Bay. His crime? Criticizing the government on social media.

The arrest came after Kenya’s Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat, filed a defamation complaint against him. Just days later, police announced that Ojwang had died in custody from self-inflicted injuries. But that official narrative quickly unraveled.

An independent autopsy ordered by his family revealed signs of severe physical assault—evidence consistent with a violent death and not suicide. The revelation sparked a nationwide outcry, forcing police to retract their earlier statement and triggering widespread demands for justice. Ojwang’s widow, Nevnina Onyango, broke her silence in an emotional interview with the BBC. “I didn’t believe it until I saw his body in the morgue,” she said, describing visible signs of torture. “It was like something out of a movie… his body was broken. It was so heart-breaking.”

The situation escalated further last week during a protest in Nairobi over Ojwang’s death. Amid the chaos, Boniface Kariuki, a 29-year-old street vendor, was shot in the head by a uniformed officer while selling face masks.

Eyewitnesses say Kariuki posed no threat. Video footage shared widely on social media shows him walking away from two police officers before one fired at close range. His father, Jonah Kariuki, described his son as the family’s breadwinner. “He was just selling masks. How could anyone do that to him?” he asked.

Kariuki remains in critical condition, another victim in a growing list of Kenyans injured or killed during peaceful demonstrations.

Kenyan Government Blocks Media

The government’s response to the unrest has only intensified public anger. In a move widely condemned by civil rights groups, Kenyan authorities have blocked access to Telegram and ordered TV and radio stations to suspend live protest coverage. Internet watchdog NetBlocks confirmed disruptions across multiple networks.

With mainstream media muzzled, Kenyans have turned to VPNs and encrypted messaging apps to stay connected. But digital repression looms large, raising fears of a broader crackdown on freedom of expression.

“This isn’t just about police brutality,” said one protester in Mombasa. “It’s about silencing all dissent. Ojwang was just the beginning.”

As outrage grows, so does the call for justice. Six suspects; three police officers and three civilians—have been charged in connection with Ojwang’s death. They appeared in court earlier this week but have yet to enter pleas. Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General Lagat has stepped aside pending investigation but has denied any wrongdoing.

President Ruto, who campaigned in 2022 on promises to end police violence and extrajudicial killings, issued a statement calling the blogger’s death “heart-breaking and unacceptable.” However, critics say his words ring hollow.

June 25 also marks one year since dozens of protesters were killed by police while demonstrating against Ruto’s finance bill. In 2024, many of those killed were young, unarmed, and advocating for basic economic rights. Now, in 2025, the names have changed, but the violence remains.

Albert Ojwang and Boniface Kariuki have joined a long list of victims whose stories are fueling calls for change. Civil society groups have called for a nationwide “total shutdown,” demanding an end to police brutality, digital censorship, and government impunity.

What’s Next for Kenya?

Kenya stands at a crossroads. The government’s escalating attempts to suppress dissent both online and offline are deepening public mistrust. The justice system’s credibility is on trial. And the streets are boiling with anger, defiance, and desperation.

This marks the second major wave of nationwide protests against President William Ruto’s leadership since he took office in 2022. The first, sparked by painful tax hikes and economic hardship, ended in bloodshed and unanswered cries for accountability. This time, it is not only economic injustice on trial but also state-sanctioned violence and an entrenched culture of impunity. Will Ruto survive this second storm?

International observers are watching closely. Western embassies have issued statements urging restraint and transparency. Rights organizations are documenting abuses.

For now, the streets remain crowded. The people are still marching. And the reckoning continues. Whether Ruto survives this political and moral crisis or is swept away by it will depend on what happens next in the courtrooms, in the communities, and above all, in the conscience of a nation.