Nairobi: On Monday, Kenyan riot police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters taking part in a day of action called by the opposition to voice their opposition to an excruciating cost-of-living crisis.
In the first significant unrest since President William Ruto took office last year, running clashes broke out between stone-throwing protesters and police in parts of Nairobi and at least one other city, according to correspondents.
In response to the protests, which opposition leader Raila Odinga insisted would proceed despite not having police approval, Ruto's administration has vowed to adopt a tough stance.
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Odinga, who narrowly lost to Ruto in last year's election, told supporters on Sunday: "I want Kenyans to come out in large numbers and show the displeasure of what is happening in our country.
In the centre of Nairobi, the country's capital, where the big rally was supposed to take place, police fired tear gas at crowds of protesters gathered there and in other parts of the city. We came here peacefully but they tear gassed us," said Charles Oduor, 21, who joined the large crowds in downtown Nairobi.
Every day, they deceive us. Where is the affordable maize flour they claimed to have? Where are the jobs that they promised the youth? They only employ their friends.
Kenyans are struggling with rising prices for essentials, a sharp decline in the value of the shilling relative to the US dollar, and a record drought that has left millions of people hungry.
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Odinga claimed that he organised the protests in part to draw attention to the "skyrocketing" cost of living and the "stolen" election from last August. People also set tyres on fire in Nairobi's largest slum, Kibera, which is a stronghold of Odinga supporters, as police used water cannon to disperse protesters.
Another Odinga stronghold, the lakeside city of Kisumu in western Kenya, saw demonstrations and police clash. "Our victory was taken from us, and we're determined to get it back. We can't just watch as things get harder and harder. Kevin Ojwang declared in Kisumu, "We want Raila in the State House.
When three days' notice is normally required, according to Nairobi Police Chief Adamson Bungei, police only received requests for two demonstrations late Saturday and early Sunday.
"Neither has been granted for public safety," he declared. On Sunday, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki issued a warning that anyone who stirred up trouble or disturbed the peace would face legal consequences. Before the protests, many businesses in Nairobi were closed, and some employers reported work from home.
We are here to defend our constitutional rights. Life is so difficult. We don't have jobs, and people are losing their jobs, as you can see from these young men and women. We are discussing our rights because of this, said 26-year-old shoe shiner Henry Juma.
The leader of the Azimio la Umoja party, Odinga, referred to Monday as a "day of destiny," but he continues to argue that Ruto's election victory in August was rigged and that his administration is unconstitutional.
Odinga, who was running for president for the fifth time, was defeated by Ruto by about 233,000 votes, one of the narrowest margins in Kenyan history, according to the official results.
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The Supreme Court rejected Odinga's appeals and ruled unanimously in favour of Ruto, finding no support for Odinga's allegations.
With the words, "You are not going to threaten us with ultimatums, chaos, and impunity," Ruto said he would not be intimidated by the protests. He warned Odinga to act in a "legal and constitutional manner," saying, "We will not allow that."