Police ban on protests gets temporarily overturned by high court in Nairobi. Source: Zoom Africa via X.
A Kenyan court has suspended a police ban on protests in the heart of the capital Nairobi, and surrounding areas, stating that citizens have a right to peacefully protest.
The judge issued a “conservatory order” to block the ban from passing, pending a final ruling on 29 July.
A conservatory order is an interim measure of protection granted on a temporary basis in order to protect the rights of a party until a final decision to the dispute has been made.
The police issued the ban — after weeks of anti-government protests broke out on 18 June — claiming they lacked the leadership to enforce safe and peaceful demonstrations.
Chief of Police Douglas Kanja said in a statement on Wednesday that the decision was taken after receiving “credible intelligence that organised criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks, including looting”.
“Criminals have continued to infiltrate the protesting groups, resulting in a troubling trend of disorderly and destructive conduct.”
Activists were outraged at the ban, arguing that the police do not have the power to suspend “rights guaranteed by the constitution”.
Largely driven by youth-led activism, hundreds of citizens took to the streets to contest a proposed bill that would raise taxes.
The protests originally started out peacefully, but began to turn violent.
After lawmakers approved the bill on 25 June, protesters stormed parliament and set fire to the building.
Ruto agreed to scrap the financial bill the following day.
At least 50 people have been killed in the demonstrations, and 59 have been declared missing or abducted, according to the Kenya National Commission for Human Rights (KNCHR).
On Tuesday, police were spotted using tear gas to disperse demonstrations.
Another protest had been planned for Thursday before news of the suspension, but did not take off. Demonstrates planned to storm President William Ruto’s office and call for his resignation.
“We are asking genuine questions. Where is accountability? Where is governance?” said protester Daniel Wambua.
Major roads leading to Ruto’s office have remained barricaded by police.
