The Kenyan government has banned opposition protests scheduled for Thursday, leading to a heavy police presence in Nairobi.
Bonfires and roadblocks have been set up on roads leading to the president’s residence, and train services in Nairobi have been suspended.
The protests are expected in several parts of the county. Demonstrators in several western towns have already blocked roads. The opposition politician, Raila Odinga, has called for protests twice a week to protest against the high cost of living and demand electoral justice after last year’s election.
The interior ministry has warned that the country is on the brink of chaos and has vowed to deploy a robust police presence to prevent a descent into “irretrievable anarchy”.
At least two people have been killed in the protests, and private properties have been damaged and looted.