10 arrested in Nairobi as police block Saba Saba protests

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said Tuesday's demonstrations were unlawful, arguing that police had not received the legally required notice ahead of the protests.

However, civil rights groups have condemned the arrests, accusing police of denying citizens their constitutional right to peaceful assembly. The activists said they intended to present a petition to Parliament seeking compensation for victims of last year's Saba Saba protests.

Even before they could chant slogans or raise placards demanding justice for victims of the Saba Saba protests, the demonstrators were swiftly rounded up and roughed up by police officers deployed in large numbers across Nairobi to prevent this year's protests from taking place.

Those who resisted were subdued as reinforcements arrived to help bundle them into waiting police vehicles. The activists, who had planned to stage a peaceful march to Parliament, condemned the arrests, saying they were being denied their constitutional right to assemble and petition lawmakers.

"I was one of them. I was pinned down but managed to escape. The court had issued orders to the police, yet people have been arrested and put into Subaru vehicles," said activist Nyanjom Joshua.

"If you can see what has happened today, people have been arrested contrary to their rights," said activist Sayialel Mankuyio.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who toured several parts of Nairobi to assess the security situation, defended the police operation, saying Tuesday's demonstrations were unlawful because organisers had failed to issue the mandatory notice to police.

"Where the rights of others start doesn't mean the end for others," said Kanja.

The activists had intended to begin their march at Jevanjee Gardens but found the area sealed off, with hundreds of officers deployed to enforce security.

"The city has been cordoned off from all areas," said James Mulamba.

"We had planned to start at Jevanjee, but police had been deployed there in large numbers," said Nyanjom Joshua.

Among the petitions they had planned to present to Parliament was a proposal urging the National Assembly and the Senate to establish a joint inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and the excessive use of force by police during recent protests.

The petition also calls for the committee to receive evidence from victims, affected families, human rights defenders and members of the public, prepare and table a comprehensive report before Parliament within six months with recommendations for legislative, policy and institutional reforms, and develop a national framework for victim support, witness protection, reparations and access to justice.