Kenyans who had gathered in Nairobi on Tuesday to hold a demonstration against what they defined as wanton corruption within the government were forced to flee after anti-riot police fired teargas canisters at them and arrested several protestors.
The group dubbed 'Red Vests', a moniker coined after the yellow vest movement of France that has been holding mass demonstrations since November 2018.
Chaos erupted after the protesters decided to march from Uhuru Park to Harambee House and parliament, ignoring the initial orders from Central Police Station OCS, Richard Kerich, that they picket from within the confines of Uhuru Park.
Anti-riot officers engaged the agitated youth in running battles across the Central Business District (CBD) bringing a stop to many businesses as the teargas choked passersby and protesters alike.
The mostly youthful crowd included 2017 deputy presidential hopeful, Muthiora Kariara, who was vocal in demanding that government officials mentioned in graft cases be forced to step aside.
“Action has been taken, that is the only way Kenya can win the war against corruption,” he asserted
He added that the Red Vests movement was planning future activities going forward until effective action is taken, stating that April 30, 2019, was just the tip of the iceberg of what was in store.
One protester, Francis Ouma, revealed to Capital News that the group would be holding weekly protests until the government moved to punish corrupt officials.
One of the protesters identified as Betty was arrested during the fracas and taken to Central Police Station leading to the #freebetty movement on social media agitating for her release.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, one of Betty's colleagues confirmed that she had indeed been arrested but that they were working tirelessly to see to it that she was set free.
"Yes, she was arrested during the red vest protests but we are at the station trying to see to it that she is released," revealed the unidentified man who answered Betty's phone.
Here is a video of the red vest protest and CBD chaos:
