Police Arrest Protesters and Use Tear Gas at France-Africa Counter Summit in Nairobi

Kenyan police utilized tear gas and arrested thirteen individuals during a protest against the France-Africa Summit in Nairobi on May 12. The demonstration was part of a two-day counter-summit organized by activists, intellectuals, and international delegates opposing what they describe as French imperialist repositioning in East Africa. The official summit was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto. Among those detained were eight Kenyan activists and five international delegates from Greece, South Korea, Britain, and France. Police blocked protesters from reaching the Dedan Kimathi statue, a symbol of anti-colonial resistance. This incident followed the earlier arrest of five student activists from the Communist Party Marxist – Kenya. The party condemned the state's actions as repression defending neocolonial interests and demanded the unconditional release of all detainees. The protests highlighted growing Pan-African determination to challenge neo-colonial influence, militarization, and economic domination on the continent. Authorities have not yet released the students arrested the previous day, drawing further criticism from organizing groups who view the crackdown as an attack on democratic rights and anti-imperialist solidarity.