Protests erupted in the Kipkaren area, Mosop constituency, Nandi County, on Tuesday as residents took to the streets demanding the return to duty of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
The embattled police boss stepped aside on Monday to allow investigations into the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, in which he is a central figure in an ongoing defamation dispute.
Chanting justice songs and waving twigs, the demonstrators—comprising both the elderly and youth—marched through the estate's major and minor roads, expressing support for Lagat, whom they described as a humble and charitable man known for his acts of kindness in the village.
"We are deeply saddened by the accusations levelled against our son, Eliud Lagat. This is a malicious attempt to damage his reputation. We believe in his innocence," said one of the protesters while addressing the media.
"This is very sad. I have grown up with him and know him as a God-fearing man who cannot do whatever the accusations are," another one added.
The demonstrators threatened that should Lagat be held liable for the accusations, then they would paralyse activities in their hometown to protest the same.
Their protests paint a stark contrast to the demonstrations taking place in Nairobi’s CBD, where protestors are demanding Lagat’s immediate arrest over his alleged involvement in Ojwang’s death.
Protesters in Nairobi, armed with placards and Kenyan flags, thronged the CBD with officers closely monitoring the procession following last week's chaotic scenes during similar demonstrations.
Tensions escalated when police lobbed teargas canisters at the crowd gathered along Kimathi Street near the Nation Media offices, where they had paused to hold prayers before proceeding.
In Mombasa, the situation is relatively calm, although protesters had started gathering, and some were spotted making their way around the county's CBD.
However, police later arrested several protesters in Mombasa after rounding them up, accusing them of unlawful demonstrations.
While the protests were initially set to demand justice for the slain blogger, things in Kenya's capital morphed into a battle between civilians and alleged goons sent to disrupt the peace.
Several goons and motorbikes were burnt in the process, with journalists reporting instances of police censorship and brutality.
