A standoff ensued along Muindu Mbingu Street in Nairobi as police engaged protesters in running battles.
At some point, the officers were forced to fire teargas canisters to disperse the group that had attempted to consolidate in a bid to stage a protest.
That, however, could not happen as police thwarted any attempt by the group to come together.
The group is among tens that heeded calls to stage a demonstration dubbed Nane Nane.
Most parts of the country including Mombasa, Kisumu and several Western Kenya towns kept off the streets.
A majority of the residents cited the need to give the President time to deliver his development agenda as the reason why they did not protest.
“We are busy watching Joho being sworn in. The Gen Z can protest in their homes,” Salim Swaleh, a resident of Mombasa, said.
A spot check by the Star in Kisumu revealed normal activities in the town with shops, supermarkets, banks, and other businesses operating as usual.
Although pedestrian traffic was lower than usual, traders who chose to open their shops carried on with their activities uninterrupted.
There were no police roadblocks or visible police presence within the streets, a departure from the usual practice of officers patrolling along the streets or setting up roadblocks near Kisumu Boys Roundabout, Patel flats and Kondele during the planned protests.
Locals who spoke to Star noted that it was decided that there would be no demonstration against the government within the Lakeside city.
They noted that the new broad-based government is what is needed for the country adding that any demo will affect efforts to address some of the challenges the country is facing.
Mark Oluoch noted that the young people's voices were heard as evidenced by changes that President William Ruto has been making for the last few weeks.
"Going to the streets again will water down some of these things. Let's allow the newly nominated Cabinet Secretaries sworn in to do their work, let's wait for change," Oluoch said.
