IG Douglas Kanja is being dragged to court by LSK for allowing his officers to hide their faces at work

The Local Lawyers Association (LSK) filed a contempt of court case against the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja for sending police officers to work with their faces hidden
The incident on Tuesday, September 24, involved activists who filed a petition regarding the 61 dead and 14 missing protesters, while the LSK cited violations of civil rights.
The LSK argued that the police's actions violated a court order that mandated that officers must display their service numbers when dealing with protesters.
The community is seeking a six-month prison sentence for Kanja and Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei, as well as enforcement action if they fail to comply with the law

Nairobi – The Local Lawyers Association (LSK) has filed a contempt of court case against Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.

LSK said the police actions violated the rights of Kenyans under Article 37. Photo: Faith Odhiambo.
Source: Twitter

LSK cited the illegal deployment of masked police officers during a recent complaint presentation to the Office of the President.

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The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 24, when activists protested to present a petition regarding the 61 deceased and 14 missing protesters.

Apart from Kanja, the petition also targets Nairobi County Police Commander Adamson Bungei and other officers.

The LSK described the actions of the police as interfering with the rights of citizens exercising their constitutional rights under Article 37.

The community argued that the deployment of police officers without uniform is against the court order issued by the Judge Luck Decide on August 14, 2024.

In his ruling, Judge Mwamuye ruled that police officers must display their service numbers and remain identifiable when interacting with the public.

“The 4th and 5th defendants have defied these orders and continued to distribute anonymous, masked and uniformed police officers with hidden service numbers regardless of the pronouncement of this Honorable Court,” LSK said.

What are the applications of LSK?

LSK is seeking the Inspector General of Police and the Nairobi Police Commander to be convicted of contempt of court and sentenced to six months in prison.

The association urged the court to order the two officers to report to the Commissioner of Prisons at the Nairobi Detention Center or the Central Committee Prison within 14 days of the court's decision to begin their sentence.

Furthermore, LSK asks that if the officers fail to comply, the Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Interior should be directed to implement the court's order and ensure the completion of the sentences.

However, LSK has asked the court to give Kanja and Bungei an extension of 14 days to give a written promise not to commit the same crime.

How did Ruto handle the conflict between the police and the courts?

Previously, the President William Ruto He spoke about the dispute between former Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli and the Department of Justice.

The President emphasized the importance of the National Police Service and the Judiciary Department to collaborate to improve service delivery to Kenyans.