One killed in fresh Nairobi protests after alleged abductions

Running battles erupted between locals and police in a Nairobi informal settlement on Tuesday leaving one person dead and two wounded, AFP journalists saw, after the alleged abduction of two activists by security forces.

Protests broke out in the Mathare informal settlement after planned demonstrations last week were prevented by a huge police deployment, which saw some activists detained and disappeared for days.

In Mathare an AFP reporter said that one person had been shot in the head and killed, with two further people wounded, with the violence rapidly escalating between locals and police.

The man's body was later carried by the crowd to a local hospital -- despite officers firing tear gas -- and he was placed in the morgue, according to the reporter.

Local media showed crowds gathering, and images on social media appeared to show small groups clashing with officers, with tear gas seen rising between buildings.

But Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo on Tuesday denied any government involvement in the abductions, claiming they were stage-managed for "popularity gain".

"There are no abductions under the watch of President William Ruto," Omollo told journalists.

"If there is anyone who is missing...they must be reported as missing persons. When you say someone was abducted it is important to indicate who abducted (them) and we will be able to follow through."

The Kenyan capital was shut down on June 25 by a large police presence, after campaigners declared a day of remembrance for protesters killed by security forces in previous years' demonstrations.

While the day passed without significant unrest, several activists were arrested and some disappeared for days.

Others had already been detained in the run-up to that day.

Among those was Davis Lichuma, a well-known protester, who vanished for days before being found dumped at the side of a road and taken to a hospital in the city.

Activists told local media that he was too traumatised to speak, and was currently receiving medical attention.

Wanjira Wanjiru, of the Mathare Social Justice Centre, said earlier that activists had planned to peacefully gather to demand the release of Maxwell Kiarie and Abdulaziz Molu, who were "abducted under unclear circumstances" over the past two weeks.

"The action underscores growing concern over enforced disappearances," she said in a statement.

A sprawling informal settlement on Nairobi's east, Mathare is home to several hundred thousand people.