CHAOS broke out in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) when anti-riot police threw tear gas to break up a group of demonstrators who were heading to State House.
Photo/Citizen
The protesters had gathered at Jeevanjee Gardens on Monday morning and started walking toward State House, hoping to meet President William Ruto.
However, their march was stopped when police, who were on high alert, began releasing tear gas, forcing the demonstrators to run for safety.
Most of the protesters were parents and relatives of people who died in the 2024 and 2025 anti-government protests.
They were demanding a meeting with Ruto to get delayed compensation for their loved ones.
According to the protesters, they had tried to get justice through the courts for a long time but were ignored.
One of them said, "We filed several cases in court, but justice for our children has been delayed. I call on the government to take action and help us get what we deserve."
The group promised to keep pushing for justice until the president’s government responds to their demands.
The chaos came after police arrested two activists, Julius Kamau and Collins Otieno, at Jeevanjee Gardens on suspicion of planning to march to State House.
The arrests happened just before the families of the protest victims gathered at Jeevanjee Gardens for the peaceful march.
Kamau and Otieno were taken by heavily armed police officers in a vehicle to the Central Police Station, where they are currently being held.
Just a day earlier, the families of youths killed during the 2024–2025 protests had announced plans to march to State House today to demand quicker justice for their loved ones. In an official notice to the police, the families stated that the peaceful procession would start at Jeevanjee Gardens at 9 am and proceed to State House.