Running battles between demonstrators protesting over the Constitution review and police continued for the third day yesterday, halting business operations in parts of the Nairobi Central Business District for hours.

At least 20 civil society activists were arrested as they attempted to make their way to Parliament Buildings. They were detained at a police post in Industrial Area and police say they could charge them today. Seven Kanu and LDP Members of Parliament joined the

protesters for a while but left the streets before the arrests began. The MPs — Daudi Mwanzia, William Ruto, Reuben Ndolo, George Weya, William Omondi, Jakoyo Midiwo and Musa Sirma walked to the busy Kencom bus stage, where they addressed a crowd.

They said they would block debate on the controversial "Kilifi draft" in the House.

There was tension when anti-riot police arrived in lorries as the leaders were speaking. But they stood at a distance, monitoring the law makers as others in plain clothes mingled with the crowd.

Ruto said the draft was for the rich and that constitution making belonged to the public.

Ndolo said those behind the draft had no respect for the current Constitution and termed them traitors "who are counting their days in the House".

"We will ensure the draft meant to benefit the rich does not go through. Be strong outside here as we fight in the House," said Ruto.

The MPs condemned the use of police by the State to quell the demonstrations. The MPs told the President to deliver the constitution he promised Kenyans and threatened to move to court should the situation get worse.

They marched with the crowd from Kencom along City Hall Way for about 100 metres, before entering their vehicles and speeding off. It was at that point that police pounced on the activists and hauled them into a waiting Land Rover.

The activists had earlier called on the President to resign, saying he had betrayed Kenyans. They said they held the Government responsible for the killing of a man on Tom Mboya Street on Wednesday.

"They may kill a body but they can never kill our spirit. We will continue to fight," they said in a statement read by Kepta Ombati. They were arrested after they surrendered, saying they were harmless and only wanted to attend the afternoon session of Parliament.

Students from the Kenya Polytechnic streamed out of their classes for the second day and engaged the police in running battles for about two hours before they were contained.

Businesses along the busy Haile Selassie Avenue were affected as a crowd surged, watching the unfolding events.

The riots spread to downtown Nairobi after police dispersed the crowds using teargas.

Police patrolled streets, dispersing any crowd they came

across. Several people were injured.

At the polytechnic, the students blocked the road and stoned police and motorists. They later turned to members of the public and journalists, robbing one of them of his camera.

For the third day, roads near Parliament were sealed off by contingents of police officers, who turned away motorists and pedestrians.

Nairobi police boss Kingori Mwangi said no ugly incident had been reported and that they were consulting on how to deal with those arrested.

He said calm had returned in major parts of the city after police stopped suspected looters from breaking into business premises.

"Except for a few arrests and pockets of skirmishes here and there, the town was generally quiet," King’ori told journalists outside Police headquarters.