Court Suspends Ban on Protests in Nairobi CBD

 Nairobi, July 18, 2024 – A court has issued a conservatory order suspending the ban on protests in Nairobi and its environs. 

Acting Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja effected the ban after peaceful demonstrations escalated into violent incidents of loss of lives and destruction of property.

The suspension comes only a day after Kanja announced the readiness of the National Police Service to defend national security while upholding the right to peaceful assembly—citizens' constitutional right, under Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution.

In his initial response, Kanja was quoted as expressing dismay on what is taking place and pleading with the public to heed police directives so that it can bring back sanity to the Nairobi Central Business District. 

The police service had gone on record vowing not to infringe on human life as they tried to contain the mass countrywide protests.

Following the court order, demonstrations can now start immediately within the city streets and the environs of Nairobi subject to any other legal requirement by the courts.