Context:

In Nairobi, Kenyan protesters clashed with young men wielding clubs, believed to be government loyalists, amid heightened tensions following the custodial death of blogger Albert Ojwang. Ojwang's death, initially attributed to self-inflicted wounds by police, was later revealed through autopsy to likely result from assault, leading to the arrest of two policemen. The protest aimed to demand the dismissal of Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat, whose complaint had led to Ojwang's arrest, and coincided with the looming anniversary of last year's parliamentary storming. Violence erupted as club-carrying men, seemingly in coordination with police, attacked protesters, who were met with teargas. With businesses shuttered and a tense atmosphere prevailing, activists plan further demonstrations, seeking a complete business shutdown next week despite the absence of contentious tax measures this year.

Dive Deeper:

• Protesters in Nairobi clashed with young men armed with clubs, believed to support the government, as they demonstrated against police brutality following Albert Ojwang's death in custody.

• Albert Ojwang, a blogger and teacher, died in custody with initial police reports suggesting self-inflicted wounds, but an autopsy later indicated he likely died from assault, leading to the arrest of two officers.

• The protest called for the removal of Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat, whose social media defamation complaint led to Ojwang's arrest, and comes ahead of the anniversary of last year's storming of parliament.

• Violence erupted in Nairobi's business district, with groups of men on motorbikes attacking protesters, while police used teargas, and one man was seen dead with a head wound, though police denied awareness.

• Officers were deployed across Nairobi to prevent protesters from accessing key intersections and government buildings, while tensions remained high with businesses closed and streets nearly deserted.

• Last year's protests were sparked by a controversial finance bill proposing new taxes, resulting in protesters entering parliament, but this year, activists plan a significant protest next week without such tax issues.

• Despite the absence of contentious tax measures, activists aim to escalate protests, promoting a 'total shutdown' of business activity in Nairobi next Wednesday, maintaining pressure on the government.