600 arrested in anti-government protests in Nairobi

More than 600 people were arrested and detained at various police stations in Nairobi during Wednesday’s anti-government protests.

Across the country, more than 10 people were shot and killed and dozens were injured in the confrontations that broke out for the better part of the day.

Property was destroyed as some of the demonstrators turned violent in some areas in the protests that happened in almost 30 counties, police said.

In Nairobi, police said they are interrogating and sorting out the individuals to know the kind of charges to prefer against them, if any.

Nairobi regional police commander Adamson Bungei said the individuals were rounded up at various places in the city after they tried to participate in what he termed as illegal meetings.

He said detectives could prefer serious charges against some of them.

“They are being interrogated before we know the way forward,” he said.

He added dozens of people were injured and property destroyed in confrontations that broke out at various places in the city.

This was during an anti-government protest called to denounce high cost of living and the new Finance Act 2023.

Transport was paralysed on various routes in the city and its environs after public service vehicles also joined the protest and withdrew their services.

Most long distance drivers and conductors and taxi operators too joined the protests withdrawing their operations for the day.

Protests were reported in almost 30 counties stretching police operations.

Dozens of police were deployed to counter the protests.

Police declared the demonstration illegal arguing there was no official notification on the same as required in law.

There were few matatus in operation on most roads. The matatus were protesting high cost of fuel.

Some businesses remained closed most likely because of fears of chaos.

Some schools asked pupils and students to stay away for the day fearing there will be chaos and disrupt their businesses.

Azimio La Umoja Coalition and groups of civil societies had called for protests to denounce high cost of living and new Finance Act 2023.

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome said no group had presented any official notification to the police on the planned demos, hence the gatherings will be considered illegal.

This set the tempo for the violent confrontation. He vowed to use “all lawful means” to disperse any gatherings that will take place on Wednesday.

“In the interest of national security, the National Police Service wishes to inform the public that in the absence of notifications by planners of any demonstrations as a legal prerequisite to enable police to provide adequate security to demonstrators and the public, police have no other option but to take necessary measures to disperse all illegal demonstrations,” said Koome.

President William Ruto also vowed not to allow any violent protests that pose a threat to the lives of Kenyans.

Ruto said six deaths were reported from Saba Saba protests last week, adding that he will not condone the death of any Kenyan over an individual's political satisfaction.

But these did not stop the demonstrators from coming out.