Rights commission demands removal of police barricades on roads

In a communiqué on Thursday, the Commission reckoned that the police have defied court orders delivered last year by the High Court, barring police from obstructing public roads without providing prior notice.

"Police today defied the court order, erecting barriers along major public roads leading into Nairobi's central business district. Authorities must dismantle the roadblocks and restore unimpeded passage for all," the statement read in part.

The Commission further argued that the roadblocks have impeded freedom of movement and curtailed access to healthcare, emergency services, peaceful assembly, economic activity, and public services.

Major roads connecting to Kenya's capital were barricaded from the wee hours of Thursday morning as Kenyans planned to take to the streets for the commemoration of the victims killed in the June 25 anti-government protests in 2024 and 2025.

Some protesters and victims intimated that they will conduct a nationwide candlelighting ceremony to honour the fallen Gen Z heroes.

Citizen Digital observed that roadblocks were erected at Thika Road (Roysambu), Mombasa Road (close to JKIA), Waiyaki Way (Kinoo, Kangemi and Westlands), and Rongai (at MMU) and motorists were forced to turn back.

After the June 25 anniversary protests in 2025, the Katiba Insitute moved to court seeking restraining orders on barricading of roads during protests.

In Katiba Institute vs State Law Office, Petition No. E389 of 2025, the Inspector General of Police or any police unit were restained from mounting barricades or roadblocks without issuing timely advisories or notices to the public.

The decision was based on the failure of the State Law Office to respond or participate in the proceedings.