The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), headed by Chief Justice Martha Koome, has issued a directive calling for immediate action against organized criminal gangs accused of infiltrating and disrupting peaceful protests across the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 15, council urged the police to dismantle these networks through intelligence-led operations and community-based interventions to uphold the rule of law and protect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly.
“The Council notes the grave concern about the existence of organised criminal gangs at the local level,” the statement read in part.
“The Police must dismantle these infrastructures of violence through intelligence-led operations and community-based interventions.”
NCAJ acknowledged the frustrations expressed by protesting youth, noting that their grievances—ranging from poor service delivery to unemployment and exclusion—reflect deeper governance challenges.
“These voices must be heard, understood, and addressed through constructive and lawful means,” it said.
NCAJ Issues Orders Against Organized Goons Disrupting Protests
While reiterating the importance of peaceful assembly as a constitutional right, the council emphasized that such freedoms must be protected from criminal interference.
It warned that sustained unrest risks undermining Kenya’s justice and governance gains, destabilizing livelihoods, and threatening national cohesion.
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NCAJ affirmed its support for the business community and urged the police to step up protection of investments, particularly in the wake of disruptions caused by politically charged demonstrations.
At the same time, the Council also raised alarm over increasing political rhetoric that threatens to incite divisions along ethnic lines.
It called on political actors to exercise restraint, noting that Kenya’s history serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of radicalization.
“There is tension between public order management and freedom of assembly and protests,” the Council observed. “There are gaps and challenges in the law.”
As part of a wider reform effort, the Kenya Law Reform Commission and other stakeholders were tasked with spearheading legal amendments, incorporating police concerns while preserving civil liberties.
Justice institutions were urged to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law without fear or favour. Koome stressed the need to protect the most vulnerable, uphold human dignity, and build public confidence in the justice system.
“The National Police Service shall maintain law and order with professionalism, proportionality, and respect for human rights,” the Council stated. “All security operations must comply with constitutional safeguards.”
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Justice Council Urges Victim Support, Youth Inclusion, and Unity Amid Protest Aftermath
In addition to calling for enhanced inter-agency cooperation, the Council proposed stronger community policing strategies, immediate action against rising cases of sexual violence during protests, and the urgent activation of the Victim Compensation Fund.
The Judiciary was also encouraged to ensure fairness and proportionality in bail and bond decisions, while reinforcing the independence of constitutional commissions and oversight bodies.
Highlighting the role of youth as a national asset, the Council called for meaningful engagement to address their frustrations, particularly around employment and inclusion.
“We must move beyond tribal alliances and towards a cohesive national identity,” the statement concluded. “The preservation of peace, promotion of unity, and advancement of justice is a shared responsibility of all Kenyans.
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