Video of masked cops escorting armed goons during protests angers citizens

June 18, 2025

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A viral video showing masked police officers seemingly escorting armed individuals, referred to locally as “goons”, during Tuesday’s protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) has ignited widespread anger among Kenyans.

The footage, widely shared on social media platforms, has fuelled accusations of police collusion with hired thugs to disrupt peaceful demonstrations, escalating tensions in an already volatile situation.

The protests, sparked by the death of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody on June 8, saw hundreds of demonstrators demanding accountability for police brutality and the resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

However, the peaceful rallies turned chaotic when groups of men on motorbikes, armed with whips, clubs, and other crude weapons, attacked protesters.

Videos circulating online show these individuals operating alongside police vehicles, with officers appearing to ignore or even protect them as they harassed and robbed demonstrators.

One clip captures police cars driving past as armed men advance on protesters, prompting netizens to decry what they call state-sponsored violence.

“The NPS was escorting the said goons,” wrote one user, emphasising the clarity of the footage captured by smartphone cameras.

Another post condemned the police, stating, “Shame on you, stop siding with the goons, side with the citizens who pay your salary.”

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International Kenya, condemned the incident, warning that the “use of militia will escalate confrontation, lawlessness, and chaos.”

The Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNCHR) has previously documented similar patterns of plainclothes individuals working with police to intimidate protesters, raising concerns about state complicity.

The National Police Service (NPS) denied any link to the armed groups, labelling them as “goons” and stating that investigations are underway to identify and apprehend them.

However, public trust in the police remains low, especially after a separate incident on Tuesday where a masked officer shot a mask vendor, Eli Joshua, at close range, intensifying calls for reform.

President William Ruto, who acknowledged Ojwang’s death as “heartbreaking”, faces mounting pressure to address police accountability as the anniversary of last year’s deadly Gen Z-led protests approaches.