Heavy police presence thwart Nane Nane protests in Mlolongo

Mlolongo town on Thursday remained calm despite hightened tension over anticipated Nane Nane demonstrations.

Intensified security presence in the town that has previously experienced deaths and destruction of property during Gen Z demonstrations seemingly scared away demonstrators.

A contigent of anti-riot police officers who included those from the General Service Unit took charge with patrols on all Mlolongo streets.

A chopper belonging to the National Police Service patrolled the town including its neighbouring Kitengela town in Kajiado county.

There were no demonstrations in Mlolongo, a deviance from the norm during the national anti-government protests.

Some few youth, however, unsuccessfully attempted to loot businesses within the town, but were repulsed.

They later took their anger to Mlolongo police station where they pelted stones but were equally repulsed by the officers.

"They were some few young boys of about 40 - 50 who sneeked to Mlolongo police station and pelted some stones, but were dealt with," Athi River East subcounty police commander Anderson Mbae told the Star.

Mbae said the incident happened between 5pm and 6pm.

Earlier in the day, police dispassed groups of youths found in the town walking in threes, fours and more.

In Machakos town, demonstrations erupted in the evening with some few youths engaging police officers in running battles.

The youth lit bornfires along Machakos - Wote road near Machakos University before police used teargas canisters to disperse them.

The demonstrators were, however, not as many as witnessed during the previous Gen Z demonstrations since majority kept off the streets.

Transport was paralysed in the town as traders closed shops.

In the neighbouring Kitengela town, Kajiado county, at least seven demonstrators were arrested after police caught up with them as they attempted to light a bonfire on Deliverance Road.

The officers erected a roadblock on the Nairobi - Namanga highway in the better part of the day.

Some of the police vehicles wee unmarked.

Several traders also closed their businesses in Kitengela town as majority of the locals kept off the streets.