State denies targeting Rastafarians behind marijuana legalisation push
By Zipporah Ngwatu, January 14, 2026The State has dismissed the Rastafarian Society of Kenya’s (RSK )’s claims that police officers have been targeting and arresting its members who are pushing for the legalisation of marijuana for spiritual use among them.
Appearing before Milimani High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, lawyer Shadrack Wambui, representing the society, told the court that some of his clients have been searched and arrested since the start of the case in 2021.
He has revealed that the police have singled out individuals involved in the case and, after noting their faces in court, ended up arresting them and having them prosecuted for possession of marijuana.
“My Lord, there are certain concerns coming from my clients about the number of occasions that we have come before this court, and as a result, they have been an easy target for police officers,” Wambui told the court.
Unwarranted searches
Further, he noted that there has been constant pestering and unwarranted searches on his clients over the same and urged the court to give a temporary measure to protect the Rastafarian Society members from the police officers.
“My lord, now we will be praying that if it pleases the court to give a temporary measure that will enable my clients to operate without disturbances and unwarranted searches by police officers,” lawyer Wambui told the court.
Further, Wambui says they will present individual names of police officers who have been victimising members of the Rastafarian Society for participating in their religious belief of using marijuana.
The State Counsel Christopher Marwa has, however, denied that officers have been doing the unwarranted searches and arrests of members of the Rastafarian Society.
He further told the court that there is no proof presented to the court over the claim by the Rastafarian Society lawyer.
No proof
“My lord, there is no evidence supporting any of lawyer Wambui’s claims that any of his clients have been arrested and questioned over the use of marijuana,” State counsel Marwa told the court.
However, Marwa informed the court that he will follow up with his clients to ascertain if the Rastafarian’s claim that the police have been doing unwarranted searches and arresting them was true.
“My lordship, I also want to get a reply from my clients if indeed his clients (lawyer Wambui’s) are being targeted,” Counsel Marwa told the court.