Major towns across Kenya were left deserted during morning hours as a section of Kenyan citizens prepared to participate in a three-day series of protests led by Azimio, a political movement spearheaded by leader Raila Odinga.

The demonstrations, scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, are in response to the soaring cost of living in the country.

However, the protests have been marked by violent clashes between protesters and police, leading to injuries and arrests.

In the densely populated Kibra area, running battles ensued as police were compelled to use teargas canisters to disperse protesting youths.

The situation further escalated in Mathare, where additional police officers were deployed following the shooting of two individuals.

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In a desperate move, anti-riot police officers resorted to firing shots when their tear gas supplies ran out.

Amidst the chaos, ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale alleged that Maurice Ogeta, the bodyguard of Raila Odinga, had been abducted by individuals suspected to be police officers.

These claims add to the growing tension between Azimio supporters and law enforcement.

In Nakuru's Shabaab area, police attempted to contain rowdy youth who took to the streets for anti-government protests. Teargas was deployed to disperse them.

Similar scenes unfolded in Kisumu, where protesters lit bonfires, while heavy police presence was observed throughout the country to maintain vigilance.

The repercussions of the protests reached even the political arena, as Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga and his Personal Assistant Victor Katana were arrested in Mtwapa, Kilifi County, shortly after being dispersed by the police.

Mombasa was not exempt from the unrest, with one person arrested in the Express Area along Moi Avenue after protesters lit bonfires, blocking the road leading to the Port of Mombasa. Confrontations between protestors and police officers ensued.

The impact of the protests was also felt in Homa Bay, where business premises remained closed due to the three-day anti-government demonstration organized by the Azimio brigades.

Transport services, including matatu transport, and financial trade activities were severely disrupted. Anti-riot police remained on standby, restricting access to the town centre for Azimio supporters.

As tensions rose, two individuals sustained gunshot wounds during the demonstrations in Migori County.

The victims, both middle-aged men, are currently receiving treatment at the Oruba nursing home hospital. One victim was shot in the thigh, while the other sustained a leg injury.

In addition, a middle-aged woman required medical attention due to suffocation caused by teargas thrown into her house by the police.

In response to the ongoing protests, police have intensified efforts to restore order. They successfully cleared the barricaded Kisii-Nyatieko Road, which had been blocked by anti-government protesters in Kisii County.

As the situation remains volatile, police are now in pursuit of five Kenya Kwanza leaders who are accused of organizing counter-protests, potentially adding another layer of complexity to the already tense atmosphere.

The protests, initially aimed at addressing the high cost of living, have escalated into violent confrontations, resulting in injuries, arrests, and disrupted business activities across multiple towns.

Kenyans anxiously await the next steps, hoping for a peaceful resolution that addresses their concerns over the economic challenges they face.