Anti-government protests on Wednesday paralysed public transport in parts of Nakuru and Laikipia counties.
Former Laikipia governor, Ndiritu Muriithi, was for a second time in less than four days arrested as he led demonstrations against the high cost of living in Nyahururu town.
Also arrested on July 12 was Laikipia West parliamentary aspirant Sarolyne Wanjiku, who was also held in police custody on Friday, and two former county officials.
They were held briefly at a local police station but later released on police bonds. The former governor had just begun leading a group of youth in a demonstration before police showed up.
Muriithi accused the police of harassing the protesters. "This was a peaceful demonstration and we had alerted the police. We wonder why the police are targeting us," he said.
In Nakuru, the protestors engaged police in running battles that were restricted in Nakuru town west constituency, an area dominated by opposition supporters. The protesters blocked roads, lit bonfires, and pelted police as they tried to make their way to the Central Business District.
They managed to reach the Shabab Estate where police repulsed them, and forced them back to Ponda Mali, Kaptembwo and Kwa Rhoda estates.
The protests against the high cost of living were infiltrated by suspected members of criminal gangs also protesting the arrest of their 12 colleagues on Tuesday.
County Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi said three suspects were arrested, one of them armed with a dagger. At Mazembe Grounds, the police lobbed teargas canisters at the protesters who had blocked roads using burning tires.
At one point, the police were forced to retreat after the protesters threw stones at them. In Kericho, matatu operators plying Kericho-Kapsabet-Eldoret had to change the route for fear of being attacked.
Wareng Line Shuttle Manager Maxwell Kirui said they decided to use Kericho-Total-Eldoret route to avoid a scenario witnessed in March when three of their vehicles were attacked at Awasi. "It is business as usual but we only change the route for safety because of the demonstration, but we never hiked fare," said Kirui.
At Sondu market, one person was shot in the back at as two groups clashed over the anti-government protest called by Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition to protest against the rising cost of living.
The unsettling event occurred due to a heated confrontation between two conflicting factions near the bustling market, situated along the Kericho-Kisumu border.
Tensions escalated, leading to the shooting incident that left the victim wounded. Kericho police Commander Geoffrey Mutai confirmed the incident but declined to divulge more information about what happened.
Investigations into the incident have commenced, with local authorities warning residents against escalating the skirmishes.
[Kennedy Gachuhi, James Munyeki and Kiprono Kurgat]
