Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has been pardoned by the High Court in a contempt case over police roadblocks and barricades across Nairobi during the June 25, 2026, protests.
The decision was made by Justice Patricia Nyaundi after Kanja personally appeared before the court and assured the judge that the National Police Service (NPS) would comply with court orders in the future.
While sparing the police boss from punishment, the court warned against any repeat violation.
“Noting that you have attended court in person, appreciating that you have undertaken and given assurance that this will not happen again, I shall pardon you,” read the ruling.
The case stemmed from widespread road closures around the Nairobi Central Business District during demonstrations commemorating the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z anti-Finance Bill protests.
Several Rights groups, including Katiba Institute, challenged the police action, arguing it violated existing court orders requiring advance notice before roads could be blocked.
Nyaundi Issues Stern Warning to Police Boss
In her ruling delivered on September 28, Justice Nyaundi said she would not impose a punitive sentence on Kanja despite the contempt finding, citing his personal appearance before the court and his commitment to ensure compliance with judicial orders going forward.
Also Read: IG Kanja Faces Court Action Over Unannounced Nairobi Road Closures
The judge noted that Kanja appeared in court accompanied by senior police officers and undertook to communicate the court’s directives throughout the police command structure to prevent future violations.
However, Nyaundi made it clear that the pardon should not be interpreted as a license for future disobedience of court directives.
According to the ruling, the court would not hesitate to impose a custodial sentence should similar conduct recur. Nyaundi stressed that obedience to court orders remains a cornerstone of constitutional governance and the rule of law.
Kanja had initially been scheduled to appear before the court for mitigation and sentencing after being found personally liable for contempt earlier this month.
Road Closures Triggered Legal Battle
The contempt proceedings were filed following police operations during the June 25 protests when officers erected roadblocks and barricades at key entry points into Nairobi, restricting access to the Central Business District.
Major routes, including roads leading into the capital, were sealed off using heavy police deployment, barriers and checkpoints as authorities sought to contain demonstrators marking the anniversary of the Gen Z protests.
The legal challenge was brought by Katiba Institute, which argued that the restrictions violated conservatory orders issued by Justice Lawrence Mugambi in July 2025. The orders required police to issue a timely public advisory before establishing roadblocks, checkpoints or road closures affecting movement into Nairobi’s CBD.
Justice Nyaundi later found that police failed to provide the required public notice before erecting the barricades, resulting in the contempt finding against Kanja.
Also Read: Court Rules on Standard Group Claims Linking Charlene Ruto to KSh2.8B Police Uniform Tender
Court Highlights Freedom of Movement Concerns
During the contempt ruling and sentencing proceedings, Justice Nyaundi emphasized that the matter extended beyond the regulation of protests and public assemblies.
The court held that the case raised broader constitutional questions regarding citizens’ freedom of movement under Article 39 of the Constitution and the obligations imposed on the police service under Articles 10 and 244.
In the earlier ruling, Nyaundi said citizens could not exercise their right to move when security agencies erected sudden, unexplained barriers without prior notice. She further held that internal police operational procedures could not override a valid court order.
The judge also rejected attempts to shift responsibility to officers on the ground, finding that the court order imposed a positive obligation on the Inspector General to ensure compliance by officers serving under his command.
The High Court has now discharged Kanja after accepting his assurances that future road closures and security operations requiring public notice would be carried out in accordance with court directives.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
