Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and others in various towns were arrested for participating in protests against abductions and enforced disappearances of government critics.

Omtatah, other other activists and concerned citizens had chained themselves together and sat on the ground when they were arrested by police.

Twelve protesters were arrested alongside Omtatah, including rights activist Hussein Khalid, Lydia Adhiambo, Lilian Muthike, Mathias Shipeta and Royal Khamisi.

Activist Morara Kebaso told journalists that his car was confiscated by police when he joined the ongoing anti-abduction protests in Nairobi.

In Eldoret, former presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame was arrested as he attempted to lead protests but was later released.

The people arrested in Nairobi were taken to different police stations, with Omtatah detained at the Gigiri police station.

Demonstrations were held to highlight cases of abductions and forced disappearances.

Omtatah vowed to return to the streets if those detained were not released.

The Law Society of Kenya, Medics For Kenya, Kenya Medical Association and Police Reforms Working Group said seven of the arrested people were women, adding that 21 people were arrested in Nairobi, 13 in Mombasa, and 16 in Eldoret.

The groups added that 18 protesters were injured during the demonstrations and two others were struck by teargas canisters.

In Nairobi, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the city centre, defying the police as they pushed for the release of the abductees. Following the encounter with the police, some demonstrators were injured and were rushed to the hospital.

In Mombasa, tension gripped the port city following a dramatic standoff between police and a group of anti-abduction protests led by civil society organisations.

In Kitengela, Kajiado county, there was a heavy police presence, with a roadblock set up on the Nairobi-Namanga road and uniformed police officers inspecting passengers aboard matatus. Most traders seemingly took caution, opting to keep their business closed until about noon.

Other towns rocked by the protests included Embu, Kenol in Murang’a, Nyeri and Machakos.