NAIROBI, Kenya – Businesses in Nairobi’s central business district (CBD) came to a grinding halt Tuesday as protests demanding justice for slain teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang spiraled into chaos, marked by police confrontations and reports of goons infiltrating the march.
The demonstrations, which began peacefully with protestors carrying placards and waving Kenyan flags, quickly turned tense near Kimathi Street.
Protesters had stopped near Nation Media offices to hold a prayer session before continuing their march—but the moment was shattered when police abruptly lobbed teargas into the crowd.
The sudden assault sent demonstrators scattering down Moi Avenue and surrounding streets, with some regrouping and marching toward Central Police Station, chanting freedom songs in Ojwang’s memory.
Businesses around the CBD—particularly along Kimathi Street, Moi Avenue, and adjacent lanes—either shut down entirely or scaled back operations in anticipation of unrest.
High alert wasn’t limited to the CBD. Heavily armed officers were deployed along major entry points to the city, including Mombasa Road, Thika Superhighway, and Jogoo Road, sparking gridlock and forcing many to take alternate routes.
Meanwhile, in Mombasa County, similar demonstrations began to take shape. Protesters there gathered peacefully in the CBD with placards calling for justice.
And then the chaos took a darker turn.
In Nairobi, reports began to circulate of goons infiltrating the protests. Riding in on nearly 30 motorcycles and carrying whips, the gang chanted “No Maandamano” (No protests), according to eyewitnesses.
One of the motorcycles was set ablaze by furious protesters who accused the riders of attempting to sabotage the peaceful march.
Last week’s demonstrations had already sparked widespread concern after vandalism led to the destruction of newly installed city dustbins.
