The High Court in Kisumu has ordered progress reports on compliance with directives concerning public protest management.
The High Court in Kisumu has given Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and other state officials four months to report on compliance with orders governing public protests.
The directive follows contempt proceedings linked to earlier orders requiring the government to develop a framework for managing demonstrations and picketing.
The case arose from a petition by victims and survivors of alleged police brutality during the 2023 anti-government protests.
Court Maintains Oversight
Justice Alfred Mabeya had earlier directed the IG, National Police Service and Attorney General to develop and publish public order management regulations.
The regulations were intended to guide the management of demonstrations and protect the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
The court later summoned the officials after the initial deadline passed without evidence that the orders had been fully implemented.
During the contempt proceedings, the court considered an apology from the respondents and steps they had started taking towards compliance.
Officials must now provide regular updates as the court continues supervising implementation.
Lawyers Push for Full Compliance
Lead counsel Moses Omondi said the respondents must report every four months on their progress.
Omondi said the matter had shifted from obtaining judgment to ensuring its implementation.
He added that the petitioners’ lawyers would continue monitoring compliance with all the orders, including those concerning compensation.
The petitioners received legal support from International Justice Mission Kenya and other human rights organisations.
Public Participation Expected
The court’s orders require authorities to work towards a public order management framework through the required legal procedures and public participation.
Law Society of Kenya Kisumu Chapter chair Dorcas Akinyi said lawyers were ready to participate in the process.
She also called for investigations into alleged disappearances and other human rights violations linked to protests.
Meanwhile, the legal team continues pursuing compensation awarded to victims under the original judgment.
Omondi said the lawyers were seeking payment for all petitioners covered by the compensation orders.
The court’s continued supervision means Kanja and the other officials must demonstrate progress as they work towards full compliance.
