Five human rights defenders, including foreign nationals, were arrested on Wednesday after police tear-gassed them during a protest in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
The group had gathered along Uhuru Highway and marched toward the GPO roundabout, chanting slogans against France. Their demonstration was aimed at the Africa Forward Summit, which was taking place nearby.
Police intercepted the activists and used tear gas to break up the march. Witnesses said the arrests happened quickly, with officers bundling the protesters into waiting vehicles.
Protesters Say France Has Brought Instability, Not Development
The activists accused France of having hidden motives in East Africa. They claimed that Paris is trying to expand its influence in the region, and that this has already caused harm in other parts of the continent.
One of those arrested was heard shouting that Kenya risks losing in the long run if it continues signing bilateral agreements with France.
The group also called on President William Ruto to cancel any deals signed between Nairobi and Paris. They argued that France has not brought genuine development to West African countries like Burkina Faso or Côte d’Ivoire.
“What Have They Done to Libya?” Activist Asks
Vijay Prashad, executive director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, was quoted by the protesters as saying: “What have they done to the Sahel region, what have they done to Côte d’Ivoire, what have they done to Gaddafi and Libya? That is the heritage of French imperialism — not in the 19th or 20th, but in the 21st century.”
His words were shared on banners and leaflets during the Nairobi protest.
The human rights defenders said France’s growing interest in East Africa is partly responsible for political instability and poverty in West Africa. They gave the example of Libya, where NATO intervention backed by France led to years of chaos after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.
Police Yet to Comment on Charges
It was not immediately clear what charges the five activists will face. Police had not released an official statement by the time this report was filed.
The arrests come at a time when Kenya has been strengthening ties with France in areas such as energy, infrastructure, and security. But the protesters argued that these deals favor French companies more than ordinary Kenyans.
One demonstrator said: “If France is interested in a genuine partnership with Nairobi, let them explain what happened in Ouagadougou and the Sahel. No development has happened there.”
The Africa Forward Summit continued despite the disruption, with no comment from organizers about the arrests.
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