Chaos erupted in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) after anti-riot police lobbed tear gas to disperse a group of protesters who were marching to State House.
The protesters who had gathered at the Jeevanjee Gardens on Monday morning began their procession to State House as they sought an audience with President William Ruto.
However, their journey was cut short after police officers who were on high alert stopped them and began pelting tear gas, forcing them to scamper for safety.
The protesters were mainly parents and relatives of victims of the 2024 and 2025 anti-government protests, who demanded to meet Ruto over delayed compensation.
According to the parents, they were forced to march to State House after their efforts to seek justice through the legal system proved futile.
"There are several cases that we filed in court a long time ago, but there have been delays in getting justice for our children. I call on the government to intervene and help us get justice," said one of the protesters.
While addressing the press, the protesters vowed to continue with their pursuit until President Ruto's administration heeds their demand.
The chaos followed moments after the police arrested two activists, Julius Kamau and Collins Otieno, at the Jeevanjee Gardens over alleged plans to march to the State House.
The arrest took place shortly before the families of the protest victims assembled at the Jeevanjee Gardens ahead of the peaceful procession.
Kamau and Otieno were arrested by heavily armed uniformed police officers and taken away in a police vehicle to the Central Police Station, where they are currently detained.
Just a day ago, parents and relatives of youths killed during the 2024–2025 protests announced plans to march to the State House today over delayed justice for their kin.
In a formal notice to police, the families said the peaceful procession would begin at Jeevanjee Gardens at 9 am before heading to State House.
