Nearly 100 Congolese nationals were arrested in Nairobi during the Africa-France Summit after attempting to stage protests near hotels hosting visiting Heads of State and foreign delegations.
The arrests, largely involving the Banyamulenge from the Democratic Republic of Congo, formed part of a wider security crackdown mounted during the May 11-12 summit that brought together 31 African Heads of State and Government alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
In total, police arrested 153 people for offences including unlawful assembly, obstruction of police officers and failure to notify authorities of demonstrations as required by law.
Speaking after the summit, Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud said the majority of those arrested were foreigners.
“In the course of maintaining security during the summit, we arrested several foreigners, among them two South Koreans, one British national, and one Greek national. Also arrested among them were 99 Congolese nationals from DR Congo,” Mr Mohamud said.
The Africa-France Summit, held from May 11 to May 12, brought together African leaders and French President Emmanuel Macron for discussions focused on investment, trade, climate financing, and regional security cooperation.
The event triggered heightened security measures across Nairobi, including major traffic diversions, road closures, and a heavy deployment of security personnel around hotels, airports, and conference venues.
Police said the operation was aimed at ensuring Kenya fulfilled its international obligations to protect diplomats, visiting presidents and official delegations attending the summit.
The Nairobi police boss defended the arrests of the Congolese nationals, saying they attempted to stage demonstrations near venues hosting visiting leaders and foreign delegations.
“At the JW Marriott Hotel, where some presidents were staying, we had a group of close to 200 Congolese nationals attempting to protest,” he said, adding, “Whether they were supporting or opposing their president, we could not allow demonstrations at a place hosting international guests and Heads of State.”
Mr Mohamud said the demonstrators had failed to notify police about the planned protests and their actions posed a security risk during the summit.
“When you have 31 Heads of State in one city, security cannot be taken lightly. All countries have laws governing demonstrations and public assemblies and these individuals had not complied with the law,” he said.
He said Kenyan authorities later engaged officials from the Congolese embassy in Nairobi over the arrests and were later pardoned after “understanding the seriousness of the matter”.
The security operation also extended beyond the summit venues as police intensified surveillance in crime-prone parts of Nairobi during the two-day event.
Mr Mohamud revealed that officers recovered a pistol loaded with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition in Kayole on May 12 during a targeted crackdown on suspected criminal motorcycle gangs.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the firearm recovery, while detectives later recovered 70 mobile phones and three motorcycles believed to have been stolen during robberies across the city. At least 30 mobile phones have already been identified by their rightful owners.
Police also defended the strict traffic controls that caused major disruptions in parts of Nairobi, saying the scale of the summit required extraordinary security measures.
Mr Mohamud criticised motorists who ignored police instructions and failed to give way to official motorcades and emergency vehicles despite prior public advisories.
“A police officer in uniform has the legal authority to direct traffic and all motorists must comply…When you hear sirens, whether for presidential convoys or ambulances, you are required by law to give way,” he said.
Despite criticism over roadblocks and movement restrictions, police maintained that the summit ended without any diplomatic incident or major security breach.
Mr Mohamud thanked Kenyans for what he described as patience and cooperation throughout the summit, saying the public had demonstrated maturity and civility during one of the country’s largest international gatherings in recent years.
