On Tuesday a group of young people assembled near the National Archives for a protest against the increase in fuel prices that has resulted in a higher cost of living.
When the group decided to march, they were immediately confronted by several police squads, including many in plain clothes.
Many business establishments in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) remained closed throughout the day as a strike had been called by certain groups to demonstrate against the increase in fuel prices.
Meanwhile the law enforcement agencies ramped up their deployment in the key parts of the city.
However, hundreds of officers was deployed across potential protest sites as well as along main roads and avenues such as Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue, and Tom Mboya Street where the demonstration was taking place.
Some of the officers in the demonstrations were clad in the anti-riot gear while others operated in civilian clothes. The officers in the riot police gear were set at fixed locations whereas some of the others walked around the streets to keep an eye on the possible eruption of violence.
By the time the demonstrators started, police moved in swiftly and arrested several group leaders. About 10 protesters were reportedly arrested for unlawful assembly and taken to Central Police Station.