Kalonzo accuses government of unleashing goons on protesters

Goons trying to manage protesters along Kenyatta Avenue during the demonstration over the murder of Albert Ojwang' in Nairobi on June 17, 2025.[Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka has accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of sponsoring goons to disrupt peaceful protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District.

Kalonzo on Tuesday condemned the attacks, in which individuals on motorbikes assaulted protesters demanding justice for Albert Ojwang, a teacher who died in police custody.

“The Kenya Kwanza regime has absolutely failed Kenyans,” Kalonzo posted on his X account. 

“Under Ruto's orders, goons on motorbikes supported by the police attempted to disrupt peaceful demonstrations today by terrorising innocent people expressing their fundamental rights to demonstrate and picket, as provided under Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010,” he added. 

He described the incident as “state-sponsored terrorism against Kenyans.”

Kalonzo said the violence, carried out in the presence of police, was evidence of a failed security system.

Police officers backed by goons trying to manage protesters along Kenyatta Avenue during the demonstrations in Nairobi on June 17, 2025[Boniface Okendo, Standard]

“We are witnessing a clear dereliction of duty by the National Police Service, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP),” he added.

The suspected goons were captured stealing phones, handbags, and other valuables during the protest, prompting businesses to shut down and streets to empty as demonstrators fled for safety.

A section of Muindi Mbingu Street in Nairobi deserted during demonstrations in the city over the killing of blogger Albert Ojwang.[Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Kenyans took to the streets for the second week in a row to demand justice for Albert Ojwang, while also intensifying calls for the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.