Kenya: Police make arrests as opposition leads anti-government protests

At least three Kenyan legislators and several protesters have been arrested in protests in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, organised by the opposition demanding the resignation of President William Ruto.

In the impoverished neighbourhood of KIbera, protesters burnt tires in the streets and threw rocks at police as they tried to disburse crowds with water cannon.

Hundreds of demonstrators spread across the city, have not managed to reach the designated meeting point in the central business district as police dispersed them with tear gas through the morning.

The opposition called for protests against Ruto who they say was not validly elected in the August 2022 elections.

They are also blaming Ruto's administration for the rising cost of living.

Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei said those arrested in the protests would be released after paying cash bail.

Bungei had over the weekend said police had denied the opposition permission to hold their protests and that any congregation would be illegal.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga on Sunday insisted that protests would proceed as planned and demonstrators would march to State House, the official residence of the president.

Odinga said Kenyan citizens have a constitutional right to demonstrate and the role of the police is to protect them after they issue a notification in advance.

Police have been heavily deployed to State House with motorists and pedestrians being stopped from accessing the road there.

Most shops in Nairobi's central business district closed on Monday as business owners feared looting.

The leaders who have been arrested include the senate minority leader Stewart Madzayo and members of parliament Opiyo Wandati and Amina Mnyazi.

Other legislators who had turned up at the designated meeting point in the city were dispersed by the police with teargas.

Kenya’s opposition has in the past held violent demonstrations in which people have died.