Along with a strike by transporters protesting government directives which affect drivers and conductors, Nairobi was on Wednesday mainly deserted as the opposition warned of mass protests against the high cost of living.
Shops remained closed and there were heavy security patrols across the city including in Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Kisii among others.
The developments come even after the government outlawed the protests called by opposition leader Raila Odinga, the third to occur this month.
Nine people died in violent clashes on Wednesday last week in parts of the country as demonstrators called to protest by Odinga, marched in defiance of a government ban
Six others had been killed in similar protests the previous week.
Odinga has called for more protests on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday against the high cost of living occasioned by the Finance Act signed by President William Ruto.
Odinga, who insists last year's presidential election won by Ruto was "stolen", initiated a string of rallies this year against a government he says is illegitimate and responsible for a cost-of-living crisis.
But Ruto has vowed not to succumb to political pressure to share his government with a "loser".
"I want to tell Raila Odinga that elections ended on August 8 last year. You can't seek the leadership of our country through bloodshed, deat and destruction of property. There is no way you will change Kenya through the route you have taken.”
The heavy truck drivers’ strike began last Thursday and has all but halted activities at the Port of Mombassa.
