Rights groups have criticised police for lobbing tear gas canisters at protesters demonstrating over the rising femicide cases in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Videos shared on social media showed protesters being roughed up and arrested in the central business district by what appeared to be plainclothes police officers.

Protesters also shared images of live bullets police reportedly fired at the peaceful marchers.

In a joint statement, Amnesty International Kenya, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Human is My ID Alliance and the End Femicide KE Movement termed the incident a grave violation of human rights.

Amnesty said its executive director for Kenya, Irungu Houghton, was among those police detained.

“The violent response by police, including the arrest of these peaceful protestors, is a direct attack on Kenya's democratic principles and the human rights of its citizens,” the rights groups said.

“The excessive force and unwarranted arrests not only violate national and international human rights laws but also send a chilling message to all those advocating for justice and accountability. These actions undermine the rule of law and reinforce the impunity that perpetuates violence against women.”

They demanded the immediate release of all protestors and urged the Inspector General of Police to open a probe into the violent arrests to hold perpetrators accountable.

“Authorities must expedite investigations into femicide cases, ensuring justice for the victims and their families… Law enforcement must respect Kenyans' constitutional rights and ensure that peaceful demonstrators are protected, not persecuted,” the activists said.

More than 97 women and girls were killed across the country in the three months leading to October 30, according to police.