153 people arrested during Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi

Police arrested 153 people during the Africa Forward Summit 2026 in Nairobi, with authorities saying the suspects were detained over various offences linked to demonstrations and public order violations.

Addressing the press a day after the conclusion of the two-day event, Nairobi Regional Commander Issa Mohamud said the arrests were made as security agencies moved to secure the international event attended by diplomats and foreign delegations.

“Under the constitution, NPS is mandated to ensure protection of diplomats, heads of state and official missions within regional jurisdiction, and that is what we did, in compliance with international regulations...There was no incident during the Summit,” Mohamud said.

“In securing the international event, we arrested about 153 persons for various offences, including misconduct, obstruction of police officers in executing their duty, unlawful assembly, and failure to notify police as required by law. 

The police boss revealed that those arrested have since recorded statements and have been pardoned.

The remarks came as 11 of the 16 protesters arrested during demonstrations against the summit were released after the prosecution withdrew the case against them.

However, five foreigners arrested alongside the protesters were not presented before the City Court, prompting concerns from lawyers over their whereabouts and welfare.

Lawyer Eric Muriuki claimed the foreign nationals were being held incommunicado.

“There are five foreign comrades, one from Greece, two from South Korea, one from France, one from the UK; they are being held incommunicado to this point; they have not been produced before any court, which is a gross violation of their constitutional right ...” said Muriuki.

Political activist Booker Omole also alleged that plans were underway to deport the foreigners.

“We know there are deportation papers that are being processed to make sure they can be taken to the airport, we must therefore file a case under a certificate of urgency to make sure those comrades are not deported, because once they're deported, we will still need them here to demonstrate against French imperialism because it has not ended ...” he said.

Meanwhile, 99 Congolese nationals arrested in Nairobi CBD while allegedly planning to meet DRC President Félix Tshisekedi were also released after the prosecution withdrew the case against them.