Elaborate police plan locked protestors, politicians out of CBD

Police barricade City Hall Way on Monday, March 27, 2023. [Samson Wire. Standard]

A heavy police presence in and around the city centre made it difficult for Azimio leader Raila Odinga and his supporters to gain access to the central business district on Monday.

Close to 1,000 officers were involved in the operation to completely seal off the CBD from protestors.

As early as Sunday night, truckloads of police officers arrived at the Nairobi area police chief's office to be briefed on the following day's operation.

The officers were drawn from Kiambu, Murang'a, and Machakos counties.

The police increased patrols throughout the city in preparation for the planned demonstrations on Monday, March 27.

Previously, detectives from the Nairobi area DCI and officers from the Nairobi Central Division had conducted a sweep that netted some of the protestants' key mobilisers.

Anti riot Police in combat barricade Processional Way in Nairobi on Monday, March 27, 2023. [Samson Wire. Standard].

A dozen mobilisers were driven to neighbouring counties and questioned and imprisoned. They were supposed to be released yesterday evening.

There was a heavy presence of uniformed police officers as well as civilians who kept an eye on events from various points throughout the city.

Just like last week, areas around State House were sealed off by armed GSU officers who made sure no demonstrators could enter.

The security plans were a more refined version of the police plans that secured the central business district on Monday last week. The Nairobi county security committee had directed the security team to consider deploying a large number of police officers in and around the city centre.

Furthermore, the team recommended that all major roads leading into the CBD be closed and that no demonstrators be permitted.

Vehicles transporting politicians and their supporters were not permitted to enter the city centre.

The police planned to use officers from the elite GSU, Administration Police RDU, and regular police officers to accomplish this.