Kenya is settling into a protracted period of resistance as land and property invasions have accompanied the demonstrations. Many observers fear that the near future will be determined by missteps on the part of the state and the opposition. Here is a look of how things were on Monday, as captured by our photographer.

Anti-riot police officers block roads leading to Statehouse Nairobi as their counterparts patrol the Nairobi Central Business District.

Police block protesters on motorbikes from trying to access the Central Business District in Nairobi.

A woman carries a bible while praying for the nation along Moi Avenue.

An opposition politician accused of spying on police is cornered by anti-riot officers and forced out of his car in the Nairobi Central Business District.

The Nairobi Central Business District remained paralysed for the better part of Monday, 27th March 2023 as traders feared possible looting by protestors.

The calm before the storm. A woman takes a walk in the city streets with two children, before the tension between police and protesters spelt over later in the day.

Shops in the larger Nairobi Central Business District remained closed.

Delivery riders around the Nairobi Central Business District were the most hit with the closing down of business in Nairobi.

A Nairobi Municipal Council parking lot along Aga Khan Walk Nairobi remains deserted for the better part of Monday.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s supporters took to the streets on monday to protest against surging prices for basic necessities, as well as a sharp drop in the local shilling against the US dollar and a drought that has left millions hungry.

A large police contingent was deployed around the major towns and authorities strictly restricted movement in potential hot-spots especially around Nairobi like Kibera, Mathare, Huruma, Lucky Summer to mention but a few.

Shops in the larger central business district remained closed, some schools cancelled classes and less traffic on the streets than normal was experienced.

The protestors engaged police in running battles on the streets as others found it ruff in the hands of the law enforers, who were under strict instructions to contain the city.

Mr. Odinga motorcade also came under heavy police resistance as he was trying to access the central business district to join his supporters. However he has vowed to keep their supporters on the streets against the government every monday until all his demands are met.

A man pulls his cart along a traffic-less Moi Avenue on Monday morning.

Armed police guarding entries to government buildings withing the Nairobi Central Business District,  Lt. Tumbo Avenue and City hall Way.

Protesters taking over the streets to voice their concerns as some enjoy a game of “soccer.”

Some protestors found it rough in the hands of police officers.

Both local and international journalists used all means to cover the demonstrations.

Kenyans who were lucky to make it to their offices following the protest proceedings from the safety of their windows.

Shops in the larger Nairobi Central Business District remained closed.

Plain clothes police offficers plotting how to disperse protestors and executing their security plan.

Protesters scatter for safety near KenCom bus station.

A protester braves teargas to dance on the street along City Way, Nairobi.

Protesters in Kaloleni light bonfires on the road.

Police officers putting out burning tyres along Jogoo Road, Nairobi.

Chaos, roadblocks and confusion along Ricana and City Stadium area as innocent Kenyans scatter for safety.

An injured lady journalist is helped to safety by a fellow journalist.

Police barricade Kenyatta Avenue as Raila Odinga’s convoy makes its way from Serena Hotel through a heavy cloud of teargas.

According to the Environment Management Coordination Act, 2013,  after the official campaign period all candidates must clear campaign materials to prevent pollution. The act also says that those found guilty of polluting the environment with hazardous waste will pay a minimum of Sh1 million in fines or serve jail terms, or both.

A tour of the city shows that the fact that there is a law that stipulates the removal of campaign materials to curb pollution of the environment many candidates have not started or even not thinking of clearing the mess. However, candidates have the option of paying a fee to Environment Management Coordination to facilitate the clearance of the posters.

There is a need for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to urgently put mechanisms in place to ensure that election posters and materials are promptly and effectively removed from the environment and properly disposed of after electoral campaigns.

A Candidate’s poster hanging on a major road sign on Manyanja Road on your way to Donholm Estate in Nairobi.

A road sign blocked by a tattered campaign poster in Jericho estate, Nairobi.

A campaign banner forms part of the wall structure of a local Mama Ntilie eatery in Juja town, Kiambu County.

A campaign poster of the current Governor of Nairobi Johnstone Sakaja hanging on a streetlight pole in Donholm roadside market.

A roadside barrier littered with posters along Jogoo road including aspirants from the August 2022 elections.

Campaigns posters hanging on light masts along Devki Road in Ruiru town, Kiambu County.

A political poster hanging dangerously along a road in Kikuyu town, Kiambu county.

Campaign posters on concrete electricity poles and roadside trees along Kenyatta road in Kiambu County.

A political poster on an electricity pole in Muthara area in Juja constituency.

A political poster on a tree along Kenyatta Avenue, in Nairobi Kenya.

Political posters plastered on the road barriers along Wood Avenue, in Kilimani area in Nairobi Kenya.

A political banner hanging between two electric posts in South C estate, Nairobi County.

Posters on the wall of buildings, perimeter walls, and electric poles along Jogoo road in the Nairobi Eastlands Area.

–

This publication was funded/co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of The Elephant and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.