Popular X personality Polo Kimani among Kenyans arrested during anti-Gov't protests

Kimani took to the streets in Nairobi early Tuesday morning and shared photos with his X followers as he stood next to men who appeared to be carrying sticks and were dressed in orange reflector jackets. 

On X, Kimani said that the men wielding sticks were not actually goons but business owners who were prepared to protect their own businesses from lawless characters.

In defense of the men, he wrote, "These are not goons.. These are business owners protecting their businesses from hired looters. 13:25pm. #RutoMustGo!"

Just an hour earlier, Kimani had ironically posted, "Police are actually friendly today to be honest. Speaking as a person in grao..."

Keen to update his 176k followers on the happenings in the CBD, he also shared a chaotic video which appeared to show orange smoke billowing in the air.

"Hii ya orange ndio sasa inanuka msuri Sasa. Nairobi CBD. #RutoMustGo!" he wrote.

However, at 14.04pm, Kimani shared a photo of himself seated at a sidewalk alongside other men. Police can be seen standing over them.

In his hands, he can be seen holding onto the Kenyan flag and a pair of dark sunglasses. 

He simply wrote, "I've been arrested."

Soon after publishing the tweet, thousands of his followers and Kenyans in general started agitating for his release, some even releasing 'Free Polo Kimani' posters and others creating a hashtag.

"They have to FREE Polo Kimani! It's a demand, not a request. You cannot claim to be inviting Kenyans to the dialogue table and then continue with the arbitrary arrests and kidnappings! This regime has lost all legitimacy!" someone wrote.

Popular content creator Sue Owino also reacted, writing, "Where are we headed as a country? #FreePoloKimani!"

More than two hours later, it is still unclear where the influencer is being held at and what crime might he be charged with.

Like hundreds of other influential figures on X, Kimani has been increasingly active and unequivocal in his opposition to the government, he also has been joining protesters in almost all the past demonstrations in Nairobi.