A heart-rending video widely shared under the hashtag #WanjikuRevolution on social media platforms shows the stand-off between uniformed police officers and members of the Kenya Special Olympics Team.
Chaotic scenes play out in the video as police officers try to bring to an end a protest over unpaid dues that the team had staged Thursday.
Moving on wheelchairs and crutches, the visibly incensed team closed Thika Road to protest against what they called an injustice perpetrated against them.
In the disturbing video, an officer is seen trying to pull the wheelchair of a female member of the team, triggering screams and outbursts of anger from the rest.
There is some shoving and pushing.
At one point, the officer who is holding a pistol in his hand is pushed away almost falling.
He reacts by hitting one of the protesters.
"Ua! Ua! (Kill us! Kill us), " the team members can be heard shouting at the officer.
He retreats.
Speaking to the media, the team said that they had had to sleep in the cold and without food as the hotel they were staying in ejected them while representing Kenya in Morocco.
A section of Kenyans on social media have railed against the officers for their high-handedness in reacting to the protest.