When protests are expected in Kenyas capital Nairobi, Swaleh Aroko grabs a wooden club and heads downtown.
The 34-year-old from the citys Korogocho slum is one of dozens of stick-wielding young men who have taken to the streets to counter recent demonstrations triggered by the death of a blogger in police custody.
During protests over the past two weeks, Reuters reporters have repeatedly seen the men - labeled goons by the protesters- advancing alongside police officers toward groups of unarmed demonstrators, and beating them with sticks and rubber whips.
Their presence on the streets is heightening fears that violence will mar a large demonstration expected on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of a mass protest that culminated in the storming of parliament and several deaths through police gunfire.
Last week, Aroko and another counter-protester, Ronald Otieno, spoke to Reuters, saying they wanted to rebut misinformation about their actions over the past two weeks.
