Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has clarified that his directive to ban demonstrations in the Central Business District and surrounding areas was not a ban at all, but rather a warning of potential threats associated with the planned protests.
Kanja’s statement came after a High Court in Nairobi suspended his directive earlier this week, citing concerns that the police had unilaterally decided who could and could not demonstrate.
The court ordered Kanja to circulate an official communication regarding the orders to all officers of the National Police Service (NPS) and file evidence of compliance by Friday.
In his clarification, Kanja explained that his initial directive was aimed at alerting the public to potential threats from infiltrators who had been using peaceful demonstrations as a cover for destructive and violent behavior.
He noted that under Kenyan law, organizers of public gatherings and processions are required to notify the police in advance, specifying the full names and physical address of the organizer, as well as the proposed site of the meeting or route of the procession.
Kanja warned that intelligence reports had indicated that goons were planning to infiltrate last Thursday’s protests and execute attacks, including looting.
The clarification comes after a wave of protests, known as Gen Z protests, have been ongoing since June 18, resulting in injuries, lives lost, property damage, and livelihoods lost.
Kanja’s initial directive was met with widespread criticism from civil society organizations and human rights groups, who accused him of trampling on the Constitution and restricting freedom of assembly.
In his statement, Kanja acknowledged that it was important for the police to work closely with demonstration organizers to ensure public safety and security.
He emphasized that international security standards for public assemblies require a designated leader to coordinate with police for peaceful demonstrations.
The clarification has been welcomed by some, but critics remain skeptical about the government’s intentions. Katiba Institute, which filed the petition against Kanja’s directive, accused him of turning the police service into a “cabal” operating outside the Constitution.
