Some 40 protesters were Thursday arrested in Nairobi as they staged a protest on the streets over the high cost of living.
The group calling itself Movement for the Defence of Democracy (Power to the people) Nairobi chapter was confronted by police at Railways Roundabout and outside National Archives after a brief chase and detained.
Police said they had staged an illegal assembly and that they had not informed them of the plans to hold their march.
Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei said reasonable force was used to disperse them and in the process, 40 protesters were arrested.
Witnesses and police said the march was largely peaceful before they were dispersed.
Police said they recovered 75 jungle green shirts, 29 red berets with a badge labelled Movement for the Defence of Democracy, 97 small Kenyan flags, assorted trumpets, blue helmets and packets of plastic whistles.
The group was Friday expected in court over charges of taking part in an unlawful assembly contrary to section 78 (1) as read with section 79 of the penal code.
This comes as Azimio la Umoja ramps up its preparations for planned mass action over the high cost of living.
Various grassroots leaders have been meeting to organize the countrywide protests set for next week.
Security teams too have been planning how to manage the protests amid fears they may turn chaotic.
They are waiting for directions from “above” to know what to do.
This is because the organisers have so far informed security teams of the planned protests as per the requirements.
Various leaders of the coalition have pledged to participate in the protests that are seen as a test for the Kenya Kwanza government on their level of tolerance and adherence to rule of law.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said they are not opposed to any form of protests as long as it is peaceful and within the law.
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