Court suspends police ban on Nairobi CBD protests

The High Court has suspended acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja's decision to ban protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) and its surroundings.

Justice Batati Mwamuye has restrained the police from applying or enforcing Kanja's order stopping Kenyans from exercising their human right to demonstrate in the CBD.

"A conservatory order hereby issued restraining the Inspector-General of Police and all other persons serving within the National Police Service, or acting in support of the National Police Service in the discharge of its law enforcement functions, from applying or enforcing the Inspector-General of Police’s impugned decision dated July 17, 2024," Justice Mwamuye ordered.

The order comes after police banned protests within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) for an unspecified period.

 Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announced the ban, citing intelligence reports indicating that criminal elements plan to infiltrate the demonstrations and cause destruction.

"No demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi CBD and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety.

We have credible intelligence that organized criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks, including looting," Kanja said.

Hundreds of anti-riot police have been dispatched to guard and patrol Uhuru Park, where a group of young protestors indicated they would meet today under the hashtag #OccupyUhuruPark.

Kanja noted that enforcing safety protocols has been challenging as the demonstrators lacked a designated leader to coordinate with police for peaceful protests.

"We appeal to the public to remain vigilant in crowded areas and support our collective safety and security by sharing any information that may aid the police in crime detection and prevention," he added.