Kenyans have taken to social media to condemn the police for teargassing women from the Maasai community at Uhuru Park on Wednesday.

The women, who identified themselves as Reto Women Association, had planned a peaceful demonstration to protest the recent killing of over 400 cattle in Laikipia County.

According to authorities, the protesters had not informed the County Commander of the planned protests.

Early this month security forces shot dead at least 400 cattle belonging to pastoralists in Laikipia.

The police have argued that the killings occurred following an ambush by armed bandits, who had hidden among the cattle, a theory that has been refuted by the herders and leaders from the Maa community.

Below are the reactions from Kenyans on Twitter after the police teargassed the protesters.

Rein‏ Asamoah:  Dear @Jboinnet Maa have a right to protests and picket and present petitions to public authorities under Article 37 of the Constitution.

Hon. Mark Nyamita‏: Where did the right to protest go? It’s time Kenyans have their way, you can’t continue frustrating everybody! We can’t be refugees in our own land! No way! Freedom is coming #MaaProtests

morrismakabe‏: The voices of these people must be heard, if we are to retain the word “democracy” in our constitution.

Olive G:‏ This can only happen in a country where the word “democracy” lacks meaning…don’t ask me, reread the constitution.

Ledama Moses‏: @JBoinnet like seriously which property did they destroy to deserve this, how can the voice not the poor be hard, We we’re not armed.

Edwin Mutinda: jubilee teargassed our mums for simply demonstrating coz of the killed cows at Uhuru park #MaaProtests , Laikipia