This archive report was first published on 21 August 2020.
On Friday, August 21, 2020, a peaceful demonstration turned tense as police confronted protesters at Freedom Corner in Nairobi over the alleged loss of Covid-19 funds.
The protest, dubbed #ArrestCovid19Thieves, aimed to demand accountability for the use of Covid-19 billions amid reports that funds allocated to deal with the pandemic may have been diverted to other uses not related to the disease.
According to the police, the gathering was against the Public Health Act, which prohibits gatherings of more than 15 people.
However, the activists claimed they had attempted to inform relevant authorities but none was willing to accept their letter of notice to picket on Friday, August 20.
Despite being lobbed with teargas several times, the activists stood their ground at Freedom Corner before assembling at the Kencom bus stage, where the last stand-off took place.
Police arrested about 11 activists, who were seen being bundled into the back of a police vehicle.
Security around Freedom Corner was beefed up, with several police officers in plain clothes spotted walking around as they kept an eye out for protesters.
