Tensions escalated dramatically in Homa Bay on July 3 during the emotionally charged funeral procession of slain blogger Albert Ojwang. Protesters, mostly young people from the Gen Z generation, stormed the Mawego Police Station while in possession of Ojwang’s body—an incident that ended with the entire station being set ablaze.
A well-known social media personality, 2mbili, has come under fire after being singled out in a widely circulated interview for allegedly inciting the crowd that torched the station. According to the claims, 2mbili led the demonstrators in carrying Ojwang’s casket to the police post where the blogger was reportedly detained prior to his controversial transfer to Nairobi Central Police Station, where he died under unclear circumstances.
The funeral procession, already steeped in emotion, transformed into a fiery protest as the mourners—demanding justice—marched through the streets. Many videos posted online captured scenes of a seething crowd chanting slogans and carrying the casket, symbolizing a people’s demand for accountability in Ojwang’s untimely death. The footage also shows moments before the police station was engulfed in flames, with law enforcement officers appearing overwhelmed or simply observing from a distance.
In response to the accusations, 2mbili took to Instagram with a sharp and cheeky reaction. Sharing a clip of the interview where he was blamed for the chaos, he captioned it with a sarcastic question implying betrayal: “Mzee ameamua kunipeana tu hivo?” accompanied by laughing emojis. His post triggered a flurry of reactions from his followers—some amused, others urging caution.
One follower defended him, stating that he was merely doing what he does to earn a living, while another joked that his fame had just taken a leap. Others warned him about the seriousness of the situation, suggesting he had now been marked by the authorities and should be more careful moving forward. One comment humorously remarked that 2mbili’s parents’ net worth had now skyrocketed due to the attention their son was getting.
Apart from the accusations against 2mbili, another hot-button moment from the same day involved Boniface Kariuki, a protester who was shot during the demonstrations. Video evidence shows that the young man had confronted police officers with harsh words moments before he was shot, sparking public outrage nationwide.
However, in defense of the officer involved, claims were made that he was a young law enforcer, only 24 years old, with less than two years of experience. The officer was said to be using rubber bullets but may have mishandled his weapon under pressure, firing a live round instead.
The twin incidents—an arson attack on a police station and the shooting of a protester—highlight the growing tension between young Kenyans and law enforcement, especially amid ongoing protests against police brutality. As emotions continue to run high and investigations are called for, the focus now turns to whether those accused will face legal consequences or if the events will escalate demands for reform.