NAIROBI - Kenyan police killed three people on Thursday after firing at a crowd that was protesting against the arrest of a motorbike taxi rider for flouting coronavirus restrictions.

The first shot killed a 40-year-old man as the motorbike taxi riders in the western Lessos town confronted an officer as he escorted their arrested colleague to a police station, a police statement said.

The protesters stormed the police station and burnt down the house of the commanding officer. More shots were fired at them leading to the death of two more protesters.

"The inspector general of police has ordered the immediate arrest and suspension of the officer who was involved in a shooting incident in Lessos," the police statement said.

On Tuesday, a Kenyan policeman was charged with the murder of 13-year-old Yasin Moyo, who was shot as he stood on a balcony in March watching police enforce a night-time curfew. Duncan Ndiema pleaded not guilty.

There is rising concern in Kenya over the level of force police are using to enforce coronavirus restrictions.(FA)