At least one person was shot and killed along Waiyaki Way in Kangemi, Nairobi as the Saba Saba protests went on in parts of the country.
Other reports indicated there were at least three people who were shot and killed in Ngong as police moved to open blocked roads.
The death toll from the protests was expected to increase.
Special squads were sent to disperse groups that had blocked roads in Kiserian, Ngong, Ruiru, Kiambu, Kahawa West, Roysambu, Kitengela, Emali, Machakos and other Nairobi satellite towns.
Police said looting and destruction of property had shifted to the towns after groups there realized there was minimal police presence.
Police blocked all major roads leading into central Nairobi, ahead of planned nationwide protests to mark Saba Saba.
A survey showed much of the city centre was deserted, with businesses shut and a heavy security presence on the streets.
Some schools had advised students to stay at home.
Hundreds of early morning commuters and overnight travellers were stranded at checkpoints, some more than 10 kilometers from the city centre, with only a few vehicles allowed through.
But that stopped at about 11 am when police stopped allowing the cars to the city center.
The police also chased away pedestrians.
Within the city, roads leading to key government sites – including the president’s official residence, State House, and the Kenyan parliament – were barricaded with razor wire.
Groups had blocked roads in the areas using stones and twigs.
Police said they had laid 25 barricades around Nairobi city center.
This rendered an order by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku that civil servants should report to work. None came. Those who tried were turned away.
Shops remained closed for the better part of the day as businesses barricaded in fear of looting.
“We are the only people here now. There are no customers or even pedestrians,” said a guard at a hotel along Mama Ngina Street.
Police had Sunday evening said it was their constitutional duty to protect lives and property while maintaining public order.
Monday’s protests, dubbed Saba Saba to commemorate the 1990s struggle for multiparty democracy in Kenya.
These demonstrations were organised primarily by the so-called Gen-Z young people, demanding good governance, greater accountability, and justice for victims of police brutality.
They are the latest in a wave of anti-government protests that began last year.
On 25 June, at least 20 people were killed and thousands of businesses looted and destroyed in a day of nationwide protests that were being held in honour of those killed in last year’s anti-tax protests.
Recent demonstrations have turned violent, with reports of infiltration by “goons”, who are accused of looting and attacking protesters.
Civil society groups allege collusion between these groups and the police – accusations the police have strongly denied.
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