LSK to sue IG Kanja for contempt of court
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has announced plans to sue the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, for contempt of court over how police have handled recent public protests.
This legal move, which could intensify mounting pressure on Kenya’s top police leadership, was revealed by LSK Council Member Gloria Kimani during a live interview on a local TV station on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Kimani accused the police of defying court orders relating to the handling of demonstrators, specifically pointing to a High Court directive issued in 2024 that required all officers deployed to protests to be identifiable, uniformed, and unmasked.
“The Law Society got orders from the court last year,” Kimani said.
“When police officers are coming to the streets, especially in protecting the demonstrators, they have to be uniformed. They cannot be masked. That was the directive of the court, but right now we are seeing a different thing, and it’s not being followed.”
Kimani confirmed that the LSK will be moving to court to file contempt charges against the IG.
“The Law Society will be moving the court for contempt of court, and they will be putting the IG on the spot,” she said.
“This was the directive of the court, but it is being blatantly ignored.”
The decision comes just a day after the LSK revealed that it had gathered sufficient evidence to prosecute senior Kenyan government officials at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes related to police brutality and enforced disappearances during protests.
“I promise to lead to the International Criminal Court,” LSK President Faith Odhiambo said.
“We have collected enough evidence to show that the police are working in cahoots with criminal elements. This is not isolated. It’s a systemic failure and the rot is now visible.”
Kimani also took a moment to acknowledge that while some police officers are indeed committed to maintaining peace and order, the institution as a whole is performing well below acceptable standards.
“I do appreciate the sentiments that police do a lot in safeguarding us,” she said.
“But the overall performance of the police is not to be desired. As a country, we feel that they are below average. What is happening now is a reflection of long-standing rot in the system.”
No accountability?
Citing alarming statistics, Kimani revealed that at least 20 people have died in police custody between January and June 2025, with no accountability or disciplinary action taken.
“We haven’t heard of a single OCS being interdicted. These deaths go unanswered, and the silence is deafening,” she stated.
She also raised concerns about the rise in enforced disappearances, warning that the fear of state reprisal has begun to discourage civic participation.
“The organizers [of protests] are now afraid. They start receiving threats, disappearing without a trace. The public is watching and thinking — if I speak out, I might be next,” she said.
Kimani also addressed recent viral videos showing civilians forcibly unmasking police officers during demonstrations, an action she described as avoidable if the police adhered to court orders.
“Because the police are not following court orders, civilians are now trying to execute those orders themselves — pulling off police masks on the streets. That should never have happened if the law was followed,” she emphasised.
She further clarified that under Kenyan law, protest organisers are not required to seek permission, only to notify the police.
“Whether through electronic notice or written form, that’s enough,” she said.
“You’re not asking for permission — just notifying the police so they can come and provide security.”
Human rights organisations, civil society actors, and opposition leaders have all condemned what they describe as an increasing militarisation of public order policing and a clear disregard for the rule of law.
“We need to look at these things seriously. If we allow the police to continue operating outside the law, then we are setting a very dangerous precedent — one where justice is no longer a guarantee, even in a democracy,” Kimani asserted.
