Tear gas engulfs Kitengela as police disperse protesters
Police engaged protesters in a "hide-and-seek" scenario in Kitengela on the Namanga Highway.
On Wednesday morning, a contingent of anti-riot police officers fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Kitengela town.
By 8 am, regular police officers had been strategically deployed throughout the populous town, which had become a hotspot during last year's anti-government youth protests.
Shortly before 9 am, a small group of protesters carrying anti-government placards attempted to block the Namanga Highway with stones, but were swiftly dispersed by police officers on standby.
Due to the standoff, most businesses in the town remained closed, and transport along the Namanga Highway came to a standstill. Buses and trucks travelling from neighbouring Tanzania avoided the road.
The business community expressed concern over possible looting.
'We support our youths in their protests, but we plead with them to demonstrate peacefully. Some of us are yet to recover from past losses,' said Jane Munge, a liquor supplier.
At around 9:30 am, police officers lobbed more tear gas to disperse protesters who had become rowdy and attempted to march south towards the Kitengela Police Station.
Within moments, the town was engulfed in clouds of tear gas as the police engaged the protesters in a game of hide-and-seek.
By 10 am, most parts of the town were deserted. By that time, no protesters had been arrested.