NAIROBI, Kenya- Pockets of protesters briefly gathered in parts of the Nairobi Central Business District on Tuesday morning, braving steady rainfall to voice anger over the latest spike in fuel prices.
A spot check by Y News saw several protesters being arrested, way before the protests picked up momentum.
The arrests come against the backdrop of a hardline stance by authorities ahead of the protests.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud had earlier warned that the demonstrations would be treated as unlawful due to lack of formal notification, signalling that police would “deal” with any illegal gatherings.
Y News report saw small, scattered groups assembling along key streets, with chants against the rising cost of living echoing through a largely subdued city centre.
The demonstrations, however, remained thinly spread, with no major disruption to normal operations in the early hours.
The protests come amid growing public frustration following a sharp increase in fuel prices, which has pushed petrol above KSh200 per litre after a double-digit hike attributed to soaring global crude costs.
Despite online mobilisation and calls for nationwide demonstrations, turnout in the capital appeared limited, partly due to the ongoing rains that have battered Nairobi in recent weeks.
Heavy downpours, linked to the ongoing long rains season, have previously caused flooding, disrupted transport and left sections of the city vulnerable to waterlogging.
Security presence in the CBD was described as minimal in the morning hours, though authorities had earlier signalled readiness to respond.
Police had warned against unlawful gatherings, while human rights groups urged officers to facilitate peaceful protests in line with constitutional provisions.
Ahead of the demonstrations, the United States Embassy in Nairobi had issued a security advisory, warning of possible traffic disruptions and urging caution for those in the city, citing mobilisation over fuel prices and governance concerns.
So far, there have been no immediate reports of violence or arrests, with activity remaining sporadic as rain continues to fall across the capital.
Analysts say the coming hours will be critical in determining whether the protests gain momentum or fizzle out under a mix of weather constraints and heavy security anticipation.
