Kenya’s television station NTV posted on YouTube a video of the lawmakers’ arrival at the airport:

The lawmakers argued that they had travelled in their personal capacities.

They were briefly held “for discussions with police” on their return to the capital’s main airport, but were released and will not face any charges.

Most of them represent north eastern constituencies that border Somalia where al-Shabab often attack civilians.

Schools in the region have been closed and non-native civil servants have fled following recent attacks.