LSK files contempt of court case against IG Douglas Kanja

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has filed a contempt of court application against Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.

This follows the deployment of masked police officers on Tuesday during a march by activists to present a petition to the Office of the President in Nairobi.

Kanja, Nairobi Police County Commander Adamson Bungei, Martin Mbae Kithinji, Isaiah Ndumba Murangiri, and Moses Mutayi Shikuku all face a contempt of court case.

LSK accuses them of deploying plainclothes police officers who concealed their identities and uniformed police officers who did not display their service numbers while dealing with peaceful protesters on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, drama unfolded at the Office of the President in Harambee House as masked plainclothes police confronted activists and families of missing Kenyans.

They were there to present a list of 60 Kenyans killed during protests and 14 who have been missing for three months. Tensions escalated when police attempted to arrest activist Boniface Mwangi, sparking chaos as fellow activists shielded him.

LSK asserts that non-uniformed police officers unlawfully interfered with individuals exercising their rights under Article 37 by presenting a petition concerning the deceased and missing Kenyans.

LSK wants the Inspector General of Police and the Nairobi Police Commander to be found in contempt of Justice Bahati Mwamuye's court order dated August 14, 2024, directing police officers to display their service numbers and always remain identifiable when dealing with individuals exercising their rights under Article 37 of the Constitution.

LSK has zeroed in on the Police IG and Nairobi Police Commander in its prayers to the court, asking that the duo be sentenced to six months' imprisonment.

However, LSK has requested that the court give Kanja and Bungei 14 days to provide a written undertaking that they will not repeat the offense, along with a guarantee on the same. Failure to comply would result in the sentence taking effect, along with any other orders from the court.

On August 14, the High Court instructed the Inspector General of Police to ensure that officers managing protests wear uniforms with visible name tags.

Justice Mwamuye emphasized that police must not obscure their faces or identification, nor the markings on any vehicle during protests or petitions.