The High Court has issued an interim order suspending acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja’s decision to ban protests in Nairobi.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye in the order on Thursday, July 18 restrained the acting IG and police officers from enforcing the decision pending an application filed by the Katiba Institute.
“Pending the inter-partes hearing of the Application dated 18/07/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending the National Police Service’s decision carried in the Press Release dated 17/07/2024 that was titled “Planned Public Demonstrations By Kenyan Youths On July 18, 2024” and which was signed by the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho CBS, OGW, in terms of its prohibition of any and all demonstrations within the Nairobi Central Business and its surrounding areas,” the order read in part.
Justice Mwamuye also directed IG Kanja to circulate the court order to all police officers and the public by Friday, July 19, 2024, and file evidence of the same in court.
“The Acting Inspector-General of Police shall circulate or cause to be circulated official communication of Orders 2 and 3 above to all Officers of the National Police Service, and separately and under his hand to the General Public, immediately after the 1st and 2nd Respondents have been served, but in any case no later than by end of day of 19/07/2024,” the High Court judge stated.
On Wednesday, July 17, IG Kanja banned anti-government protests in the Nairobi CBD until further notice.
The acting IG said the decision was to ensure public safety as police had received information that organized criminal groups were planning to use the protests to commit various forms of crimes, including looting.
“We wish to inform the public that we have credible intelligence that organized criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks including looting.
“As a result, no demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety,” Kanja remarked.
