Kenyan Police, on Tuesday, May 12, fired teargas to disperse dozens of anti-France protesters attempting to march towards the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, where the Africa Forward Summit was taking place.
The demonstrators, carrying red flags and anti-imperialism placards, gathered along Uhuru Highway before anti-riot Police blocked their movement towards the heavily secured venue. Footage from the scene showed officers chasing protesters through parts of the city centre, as teargas spread across the area. Some demonstrators were also arrested and forced into Police vehicles.
Security was significantly heightened around roads leading to the KICC, with police restricting movement near key government installations, hotels and routes connected to the summit.
The protests coincided with the Africa Forward Summit, jointly hosted by Kenya and France, which brought together more than 30 African and European leaders to discuss trade, investment, infrastructure and climate partnerships.
Among those attending the Summit were French President Emmanuel Macron and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, alongside African Heads of state, diplomats and business leaders.