The involvement of young men carrying clubs and sticks to disrupt a protest last week has heightened fears that violence could mar today’s demonstrations as well.
Last week, groups of young men riding motorbikes, and armed with whips and clubs, attacked protesters in the capital Nairobi’s central business district.
Videos show the men – described locally as “goons” – seemingly working side-by-side with police, who fired teargas to try and disrupt the demonstrations.
The police have denied any link, saying it did not condone such “unlawful groupings.”
A vendor was shot during the demonstration, sparking renewed outrage among Kenyans who accuse police of using excessive force against protesters. Police deny the allegation.