As nationwide protests entered their second day on Monday, March 27, authorities deployed several security personnel to the streets to manage the situation.
Among them were officers from the anti-riot unit of the National Police Service (NPS), who were observed wearing full maroon body armour and carrying other weapons.
Despite being pelted with stones by protesters in various parts of Nairobi, such as Mathare and Kibera, many officers were able to engage and calm them down.
The full-body armour helped the police to protect themselves from harm during the protests, which were led by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
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The armour was designed to protect officers from objects thrown at them, knives, and acid attacks from unruly crowds, and it included various protective components such as knee pads, a helmet, shin guards, upper body and shoulder protectors, elbow guards, gloves, and a shield.
Each part of the armour served a unique purpose to ensure that officers were fully protected as they worked to maintain law and order.
The suit, for instance, was intended to protect the officers’ torso and was made of flexible materials that fit each officer’s body perfectly.
In some cases, the suit was equipped with body cameras to capture events while on the streets. Meanwhile, the helmet protected officers from potential threats aimed at their head area and included a transparent shield to allow them to assess their surroundings safely.
The anti-riot police also carried batons made of sturdy polycarbonate or wood, which were effective in gaining entry into buildings or vehicles, while the bow or rectangular-shaped shield was useful in pushing back rowdy crowds or restricting movement.
In the aftermath of the March 27 protests, Police Inspector General Japhet Koome reported that 23 officers were injured and two security vehicles were torched during the chaos.