Kenya: High Court Pardons IG Kanja Over Breach of Protest Order

What the report says

A Kenyan High Court has pardoned Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja after finding that police failed to comply with an order against blocking roads during demonstrations, according to Capital FM as republished by AllAfrica. The ruling concerns protest policing in Nairobi and comes after the court said the earlier conduct had limited people’s freedom of movement.

The judge said Kanja personally appeared before the court with other senior officers and gave assurances that the directive would be followed. On that basis, the court opted not to impose punishment at this stage, but it warned that a custodial sentence could follow if the order is broken again. The court also said it would continue examining the National Police Service’s responsibility to uphold the rule of law.

The decision is significant because it reinforces judicial oversight of police actions during public demonstrations and highlights the tension between maintaining public order and protecting the right to move freely. In general, Kenyan courts have at times issued directions on how law enforcement should respond to protests, especially when road closures and other restrictions affect the public, but this specific report focuses on the warning issued to the police chief and the instruction to strictly observe the earlier ruling.