Violent protests erupted across Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) on Thursday, June 12, 2025, sparked by the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who reportedly died under police custody after being arrested in connection with a defamation case. Demonstrators, carrying placards bearing messages like "No Justice, No Budget" and chanting protest anthems, demanded accountability for Ojwang's death and called for the immediate resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, who was named as the complainant in the defamation case leading to Ojwang's arrest.

The protests coincided with the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary's presentation of the 2025/26 national budget at the National Assembly, which became a key target for the demonstrators. Protesters marched towards the National Assembly and the National Police Service Headquarters, with some factions camping outside Vigilance House demanding Lagat's resignation. Police deployed armed units, including anti-riot officers, the General Service Unit (GSU), and plainclothes officers, to manage the crowds, frequently using teargas to disperse them, leading to at least one reported injury among the protesters.

The demonstrations led to significant disruption and destruction within the city. Two vehicles were set ablaze near the Kenya Cinema building, and infrastructure, including signposts and newly installed dustbins, was vandalized. The destruction of dustbins, which were installed barely a month prior by Nairobi County to promote cleanliness, drew condemnation from Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria, who acknowledged the right to picket but urged restraint against property damage. Businesses in affected areas such as Moi Avenue, Harambee Avenue, and Haile Selassie Avenue were forced to shut down to prevent losses.

The escalating situation prompted the United States Department of State to issue a travel advisory warning U.S. citizens to avoid the Nairobi CBD due to the chaotic nature of the protests, citing the use of tear gas and unverified reports of live ammunition. The advisory urged caution, avoidance of crowds, constant communication of whereabouts, and carrying valid identification. The protests also gained traction online, with supporters amplifying calls for justice through hashtags and sharing videos and images from the demonstrations.