Some of the unknown men who came into the Nairobi CBD in large numbers on June 17, 2025.
Plans to sabotage Tuesday’s protests began as early as last Thursday, with a senior political figure in Nairobi reportedly engaging a team tasked with recruiting goons to disrupt the demonstrations sparked by the killing of Albert Ojwang, the Nation can reveal.
Local coordinators and estate chairpersons, often political mobilisers, were responsible for organising the goons, mostly from informal settlements. The operation involved mobilising youth and arming them with whips, clubs and other crude weapons.
The directive to them was clear: deal ruthlessly with the protesters.
Recruitment was concentrated in specific areas, including Congo area in Dagoretti North, Dagoretti South and Mathare. Boda boda riders who accepted the job were instructed to carry two armed passengers.
On Wednesday, State House acknowledged the chaos but insisted the buck stops with the police.
“Matters related to public order, safety and law enforcement fall within the mandate of the police, under the Inspector-General, who operate independently in the execution of their duties,”State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed said.
In the days leading up to the protest, political figures were captured in videos sternly warning demonstrators to stay away from the city. Several political leaders and influencers publicly condemned the planned protests, saying that those who took to the streets would face strong opposition.
Goons on Moi Avenue in Nairobi on June 17, 2025 during protests following the death of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo alias Matach, and activist Calvince Okoth also known as Gaucho were among those issuing public threats.
Speaking during a church service at Friends Comprehensive School Kivaywa in Kakamega County, where President William Ruto was in attendance, Mr Sakaja condemned last week’s demonstrations.
Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja.
“I want to tell youths in Nairobi, demonstrating for your rights is allowed, but we will not allow the destruction of property again. That will never happen again in Nairobi. Torching vehicles won’t bring back our brother Albert Ojwang. So don’t try it, you’ll find me in town,” Mr Sakaja said.
He called for the arrest and prosecution of anyone caught destroying property, saying that while the Constitution allows peaceful demonstrations, they must remain non-violent and unarmed.
In another widely shared video, Mr Odhiambo urged Mr Sakaja to mobilise a team of youths to work alongside police in managing the protesters.
“We are not denying that Ojwang died,” Mr Odhiambo said. “But was he killed so that vehicles are burned? So that Nairobi is destroyed? Governor Sakaja formed a youth group and paired them with police so anyone trying to cause chaos would be dealt with accordingly.”
Efforts to reach Mr Odhiambo for comment last evening were unsuccessful as his phone remained switched off.
Gaucho had earlier warned demonstrators against setting foot in the city. However, he later posted a video on social media claiming he was not in Kenya during Tuesday’s protests.
Plainclothes police officers tackle a suspected thief along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi on June 17, 2025, during protests.
“I’ve seen online claims that I sponsored goons. I wasn’t even in Kenya, I flew out for business,” he said. “You’re tarnishing my name, saying I’m paid by politicians. I’m not. I support Raila Odinga, he’s the only one who can direct me.”
Intelligence and police sources on Wednesday told the Nation that paid goons knew there was a possibility of violence, but the stakes were too high for none of them was willing to back down.
The Nation spoke to one of the goons recruited from Kawangware in Dagoretti North.
“I was called on Monday evening and told there was a job if I was interested. I did not hesitate as I needed the money. I was promised Sh2,000 and told that the police had been briefed, so they wouldn’t harm us,” he said.
He explained that they assembled at a busy petrol station on Valley Road on Tuesday morning, where they received payment and fuel before heading towards the central business district (CBD). A fuel attendant at the station yesterday confirmed this.
“In the morning, I saw tens of motorcycles at the petrol station. Each had its fuel tank filled to capacity. Those present received Sh2,000 before heading to town,” he said.
Chaos on Koinange Street in the Nairobi CBD as motorbike riders clashed with thugs carrying batons. The goons' bike was set on fire.
As they rode towards the CBD, the riders and passengers waved whips and chanted, “Hatutakubali maandamano hii town! (We won’t allow protests in this town).”
The hired goons soon found themselves in hot water when they encountered a large group of protesters on Moi Avenue. Several were assaulted, and some of the motorcycles were torched. One rider, trying to escape the wrath of the protesters, was cornered on Koinange Street and beaten. The mob interrogated him about who had hired them.
People hold a Kenyan flag during a demonstration over the death of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, June 17, 2025.
Another individual, under duress, confessed: “We were paid Sh1,000 to disrupt the planned protests,” adding that the task was only explained to them upon arrival in the CBD.
What set the goons apart from legitimate protesters was often their close interaction with police. They walked beside officers, despite being visibly armed with pangas, clubs and whips.
“We didn’t know we were coming to fight the protesters. We were told we were guarding shops from looters,” one of those hired said.
Despite understanding the risks, many agreed to participate due to financial desperation.
On Wednesday, Mr Sakaja condemned those who exploit peaceful protests to incite violence and urged the police to act decisively.
“We categorically dissociate ourselves from any gangs, militias, or politically sponsored groups that exploit demonstrations to engage in criminal activity. We will not allow criminal elements to hijack our democratic space. Affirming the constitutional right to peaceful protest, we strongly condemn the destruction of public and private property witnessed last week, perpetrated by hired goons brought in from outside Nairobi,” he said.
Notably, some of the goons were seen passing near City Hall, hailing the governor for permitting them to “secure the city”.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura dismissed suggestions that the goons represented government interests, insisting that all Kenyans have the constitutional right to express their political opinions.
“What matters is that these freedoms are exercised within the bounds of the law,” he said.
Scenes from Moi Avenue, Nairobi CBD during the protests.
Mr Mwaura blamed part of the tension on the deliberate provocation of police by some demonstrators.
“The public should not accost and provoke the police to create confrontation,” he stated. His remarks come amid growing outrage over police response to protests and accusations of State repression.
To prevent future clashes, Mr Mwaura called for legislation to clearly define public spaces for peaceful assembly.
“There is a need to put in place legislation to define public spaces that guarantee the right to picket in a peaceable manner, without interfering with other Kenyans’ right to go about their daily business,” he said
Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri Nyaga stated that investigations were ongoing and warned those captured on video breaking the law.
“Working hand in hand with goons? That’s preposterous, to say the least. It is the work of the police to ensure criminal elements of whatever shape, colour or creed are treated in a befitting manner: contemptuously and within the law. Photos don’t disappear. Action will be taken,” he said.
Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo condemned the violence, calling it a sign of rising anarchy. She denounced the “barbaric conduct” of the militia-like groups who worked in tandem with the police.
Additional reporting by Justus Ochieng'
