The High Court has issued a conservatory order barring the Inspector General of Police (IG), Douglas Kanja, and officers under his command from erecting barricades and setting up roadblocks in a bid to restrict access to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) during protests.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi, in the order issued on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, directed that no such restrictions should be imposed without issuing prior advisories, allowing the public to plan accordingly. The court’s order remains in effect pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by the Katiba Institute.

The Katiba Institute moved to court seeking to restrain the IG from infringing on constitutional rights under Articles 37 and 39, which guarantee freedom of assembly, demonstration, and movement. They also requested the removal of barbed wire, barricades, and roadblocks within the CBD, except around clearly defined protected areas.

In its application, the Institute accused IG Kanja of abusing state security powers to stifle dissent and unlawfully limit citizens’ rights to peaceful protest, both in public spaces and online.

Notably, the Institute stated that despite Kenyans lawfully notifying police of planned demonstrations, officers failed to inform the public that access to the CBD would be restricted.

They referenced the June 2024 protests, during which the IG issued a notice banning demonstrations in the CBD. That notice was later suspended by the court following a successful petition by Katiba Institute, allowing the protests to proceed lawfully.

The matter is set to be mentioned on October 2, 2025, to establish how the matter will proceed.