Koome urges police to distinguish peaceful protesters from goons during protests

Chief Justice Martha Koome addressing during the Selection Panel for the Recruitment of Nominees for IEBC Commissioners on January 31, 2025[Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Chief Justice Martha Koome has urged the police to exercise restraint during protests and to carefully distinguish between peaceful demonstrators and individuals who infiltrate protests to incite violence or loot.

Speaking during the swearing-in of National Police Service Commission (NPSC) members to the National Heroes Council, Koome emphasised that officers must uphold human rights standards and avoid actions that could lead to unnecessary harm or the loss of life.

"The police must respond with restraint, proportionality, and strict adherence to human rights standards, avoiding actions that could cause unnecessary harm or loss of life," she said.

"It is also incumbent upon the police to distinguish between peaceful demonstrators and criminal elements, those who infiltrate protests to incite violence and loot, and to apprehend and process such individuals through the justice system."

Her remarks come in the wake of Monday's Saba Saba Day demonstrations, which saw at least 10 people killed, 29 injured, and property worth millions destroyed in Nairobi and other towns.

According to the Chief Justice, such tragic outcomes should not occur. She called on members of the public to exercise their right to protest peacefully, without carrying weapons or engaging in acts of violence.

"The public must exercise their right to protest peacefully, without carrying arms, and without engaging in acts of destruction, looting, or vandalism of public infrastructure such as government buildings and court infrastructure, or private businesses," Koome said.

The July 7 protests were intended to mark Saba Saba Day, the anniversary of the 1990 pro-democracy uprising when Kenyans took to the streets demanding a return to multi-party democracy after years of authoritarian rule under President Daniel arap Moi.

However, the commemorative protests this year were marred by chaos. Police had blocked major roads across Nairobi ahead of anticipated unrest, following previous demonstrations that had descended into violence and left several people dead.

The wave of demonstrations largely led by young Kenyans is fueled by economic stagnation, corruption, and police brutality. While many protest peacefully, others have engaged in looting and destruction, fueling tension between demonstrators and law enforcement.

Koome's comments came as she presided over the swearing-in of Peris Muthoni Kimani, Benjamin Juma Imai, and Prof Collette Suda as commissioners of the *National Police Service Commission, along with Abdullahi Nur Sheikh Kassim as a member of the National Heroes Council.