A contingent of anti-riot police officers has been deployed in different parts of Kenya’s capital ahead of anti-government protests organised by the opposition.
According to a spot check conducted by Citizen Digital, roadblocks have been erected in different areas as a cohort has been seen along Ngong Road and at Haile Selassie Avenue.
The Nairobi CBD is also a ghost town as minimal activity was present and most shops remained closed.
City roads are also clear, with few vehicles seen in transit. A number of city residents have also reported delayed transport, as only few Public Service Vehicles are on the roads.
In Mombasa, operations seemed to be normal as PSVs and residents conducted business as usual from Moi international airport to Changamwe roundabout, Makupa Causeway, Saba Saba area, Mwembe Tayari and Digo Road.
In Kisumu, various roads have been barricaded by youths, and bonfires have been lit. Shops have also been closed and no PSV vehicles have been observed on roads.
Police officers have already been deployed in key areas around the town.
The same case has been witnessed in Migori town, Migori County as transport remained paralyzed, businesses closed down and heavy police presence was present.
Heavy police presence was also evident in most parts of Kitengela, Kajiado county, as minimal business activity took place.
The Azimio coalition plans to hold the protests for three days a week starting on Wednesday to Friday despite stern warnings from the government.
On Tuesday evening, the government withdrew former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta’s security at her Gatundu and Muthaiga homes.
According to officials, Mama Ngina had her security withdrawn this evening at about 5 pm with officers from the General Service Unit and Administration Police told to leave and report to the nearest police station.
Likewise, more than 10 security officers attached to Azimio principles Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka were also withdrawn.
Governors, Gladys Wanga, James Orengo, Anyang’ Nyong’o also had their security directed to report to Kisumu.
More than 50 MPs also had their security recalled and ordered to report to Parliament Police Station.
The government also ordered the closure of all-day primary and secondary schools in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
Interior CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki and his Education counterpart Ezekiel Machogu, in a joint statement, said that credible intelligence reports had revealed plans by a number of rogue elements to attack specific schools in the two counties in order to ‘unleash terror and violence on the public’ during the demos.
