Katiba Institute has filed a contempt of court application against Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, accusing him of defying a High Court order by erecting roadblocks across Nairobi during the second anniversary commemoration of the June 25 protests .
The petition, filed on friday, argues that police barricaded major entry points into the Central Business District without issuing prior public notice, directly violating conservatory orders issued by Justice Lawrence Mugambi on July 9, 2025, and extended on October 2, 2025 .
In court documents, Katiba Institute Executive Director Nora Mbagathi stated that the police action on June 25, “signalled a culture of impunity and a betrayal of the very survival of our democracy” .
The application argues that roadblocks were mounted at multiple locations including Roysambu, Kangemi, Ngong Road, Uhuru Highway, Moi Avenue, and other key thoroughfares .
Commuters were stranded, health workers and ambulances were turned back at barricades, and boda boda riders attempting to access the city were arrested .
The contempt application allege that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had publicly assured Kenyans on June 24, that “Tomorrow is a normal working and school day,” a statement made while flanked by the Inspector General himself .
However, police proceeded to seal off the city from as early as 4:00 AM, creating massive traffic snarl-ups and disrupting business activities .
The application emphasizes that the court orders were widely publicized, with major media outlets including KBC, NTV, KTN News, and Citizen TV reporting on the ruling .
President William Ruto had even publicly criticized the court order, and the Judiciary was forced to issue a clarification through its official spokesperson .
“The 1st Respondent, therefore, had actual and constructive knowledge of the existence of the Court orders. Despite this knowledge, the 1st Respondent has today disobeyed the Court orders,” the application states .
The original petition was filed by Katiba Institute on June 25, 2025, challenging police use of barricades and roadblocks during protests.
Justice Mugambi issued conservatory orders restraining the Inspector General from mounting barricades that block public access to the CBD “without issuing a timely advisory/notice prior to the emergency barricading of roads” .
The court found the orders necessary “to ensure that the public is not inconvenienced without prior notice whenever the 1st respondent decides to block public roads to prevent access” .
The Kenya Human Rights Commission also condemned the police action, demanding the immediate removal of roadblocks .
“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,” KHRC said in a statement .
The commission argued the roadblocks impeded freedom of movement and curtailed access to healthcare, emergency services, peaceful assembly, and economic activity .
The Notice of Motion filed by lawyer Joshua Malidzo Nyawa seeks orders that the 1st Respondent be cited for contempt of court and “punished appropriately for disobeying court orders in issue” .
“The contemnors’ conduct constitutes a serious interference with the administration of justice and demonstrates a blatant disregard for the rule of law,” the application states.
