Femicide protesters sprayed with tear gas in Kenya | ABC NEWS

Kenyan police fired tear gas and arrested at least three people on Tuesday as hundreds protested a wave of femicide cases in the country.

Several hundred people - mostly women - marched in the capital Nairobi, where they blew whistles and chanted, "Stop killing women!" They were repeatedly dispersed by police officers firing tear gas from moving vehicles before regrouping anew.

Patriarchal views and insufficient legal protections are major factors behind Kenya's high levels of gender-based violence, researchers say.

Kenya's police have also faced criticism for their actions during anti-government protests in June and July, when at least 60 people were killed. The authorities have broadly defended the police response but said investigators were looking into specific allegations of misconduct.

Reporting by Reuters.

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