Protestors turn bold Standard newspaper headlines into demo banners, demand justice for Albert Ojwang

In Nairobi’s streets, a new kind of protest is gripping the nation. Instead of handmade placards, grieving Kenyans clutch front pages of The Standard newspaper, wielding bold headlines in their fight for justice over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang.

The 31-year-old’s death in police custody has sparked fury, and these protesters, students, activists, and ordinary citizens are letting the press speak for them in a raw, emotional outcry.

Tuesday is Tuesday pic.twitter.com/jx98BG9v3X

— Ademba Allans (@Ademba_47) June 17, 2025

One headline, “Killed by Police,” screams from the hands of marchers, its stark words accusing the system of brutality. The chilling phrase has become a symbol of the movement, held aloft as a direct challenge to authorities.

Another front page, “Blood on Their Hands,” captured the public’s anger at a state and security forces that seem to evade accountability time and again. Then there’s the gut punch of “Tortured, Strangled,” a headline that paints a harrowing picture of the violence Ojwang allegedly endured.

Young protesters, many silent, let these words do the talking, their faces etched with grief and resolve.

Standard imetupatia poster ya Kesho

— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) June 16, 2025

The outrage didn’t stop there. Headlines like “Shameless Top Cops” and “Killer Squad Boss?” pointed fingers at Kenya’s police leadership, fuelling demands for arrests and resignations.

These newspaper pages, now makeshift banners, reflect a growing distrust in a system that’s failed to deliver justice.

Protesters call it “headline resistance,” a powerful twist on traditional demonstrations. “The press has said it all,” said Mary Wanjiku, a 22-year-old student, clutching a crumpled front page.

Tuesday is Tuesday pic.twitter.com/ubPkgsMDjW

— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) June 16, 2025

“We don’t need to write our own signs; the truth is already printed.”

Ojwang’s death, after his arrest for social media posts criticising police, lit a fire under Kenya.

An autopsy showing head injuries and strangulation marks has only deepened the public’s rage.

As tear gas clouds Nairobi’s streets and protesters face off with riot police, the headlines have become more than news; they’re a rallying cry.

Political leaders are taking notice, with some joining calls for a transparent investigation. For now, the people march on, their hands full of newspapers, their hearts full of demands.