A Kenyan court has issued a temporary suspension order halting the ban on protests in Nairobi and surrounding areas.
The Milimani High Court issued the ruling on Thursday afternoon in response to a petition filed by the Katiba Institute, a human rights organization.
The petition challenged the ban imposed by Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, arguing it violated the right to peaceful assembly.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye ordered the suspension until a full hearing can be held.
“Pending the inter-parties hearing of the Application dated 18/07/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued restraining the Inspector-General of Police and all other persons serving within the National Police Service, or acting in support of the National Police Service in the discharge of its law enforcement functions, from applying or enforcing the Inspector-General of Police’s impugned decision dated 17/07/2024,” read the orders.
Court Order:
The High Court issues orders suspending the police decision to ban protests indefinitely, directing the police to publish the court orders to the public. pic.twitter.com/lcPADPNPIw
— Katiba Institute (@katibainstitute) July 18, 2024
The Inspector General had justified the ban on grounds of potential criminal activity and difficulty maintaining security during leaderless protests.
PRESS RELEASE ON PLANNED DEMONSTRATIONS BY KENYAN YOUTHS ON JULY 18, 2024 pic.twitter.com/zo6eTGfdCD
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) July 17, 2024
However, the court determined these concerns did not outweigh the right to protest.
The next hearing is scheduled for July 29th. The court has also directed the National Police Service to officially communicate the suspension order to all officers and the public by July 19th.
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