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Eldoret town, the backyard of President William Ruto witnessed heavy presence of police officers in anti-riot gear as a group of youths matched peacefully along the central business district raising tension and anxiety among the business community.

The town hall which houses Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii’s office alongside his deputy John Barorot and the county Executive for Finance was deserted as all the workers stayed away for fear of the building being invaded by the protesters.

Residents who had come at the town hall in the morning to seek for various services were turned away at the gate by the county enforcement officers who told them that there was nobody to serve them.

No entry

“We are under firm instructions not to allow anybody beyond this gate until further notice,” said a senior county enforcement officer.

All county vehicles and those belonging to senior and junior staff were also removed from their parking on Monday evening in anticipation of violent demonstration.

Earlier in the day, there was drama in the town when the police officers arrested three youths who included two men and a female suspected to be hired goons out to take advantage of the protest to engage into looting incident.

The hawk-eyed officers, dozens of them in civilian clothes patrolled the streets with some riding on 10 land cruiser vehicles and lorries as traders went about their business amid intense anti-government protest.