By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, May 12, 2026 - Tension briefly gripped Nairobi’s Central Business District on Tuesday after police dispersed activists and foreign protesters attempting to march towards the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), where more than 30 African Heads of State are attending the Africa Forward Summit.
The demonstrators, who accused France of continued interference in African affairs, tried to force their way towards the heavily guarded venue before security officers blocked them.
Police used teargas and fired shots into the air to scatter the crowd as protesters waved placards and chanted anti-imperialism slogans near Uhuru Highway.
Some of the banners carried messages reading: “Nairobi Erupts, resist French colonialism” and “Stop the imperialists’ drive to war.” Witnesses said the protests briefly paralysed traffic as anti-riot officers moved in to contain the situation.
Although some protesters ran for safety during the chaos, others regrouped nearby and continued chanting against the participation of France and President Emmanuel Macron at the summit. Several protesters were later arrested and bundled into police vehicles.
According to Communist Party of Kenya Secretary-General Booker Ngesa Omole, those detained included Kenyan activists and foreign nationals from Britain, France, South Korea and Greece. Omole said activist Julius Kamau was among seven Kenyans arrested during the operation.
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The protesters maintained that their demonstration was peaceful and accused authorities of suppressing dissent.
Before the arrests, a women-led Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) had initially attempted to stop the group from advancing towards KICC without using force.
However, the situation escalated moments later after additional police vehicles arrived and officers moved in to disperse the crowd.
The Africa Forward Summit has attracted leaders from across the continent to discuss trade, security, technology and Africa’s role in global development, but the demonstrations highlighted growing activism around foreign influence and geopolitical interests in Africa.