The High Court has issued orders directing the Inspector General of Police to ensure that officers do not conceal their identities or faces when deployed during demonstrations. The court also mandated that police officers wear name tags and display their service numbers as part of their uniforms.
This ruling came after the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) filed a petition under a certificate of urgency, arguing that the actions of police officers and their agents were undermining efforts to create an accountable national police service.
The court papers state, "Pending the hearing and determination of this application and petition, only uniformed police officers who are badged and clearly identifiable may be deployed for the sole purpose of assisting protestors in exercising their rights guaranteed under Article 37."
LSK President Faith Odhiambo emphasized the need for police officers who assault peaceful protestors exercising their constitutional rights to be held accountable. Over the past two months, the LSK has consistently condemned police brutality during anti-government protests, including incidents of arrests and forced disappearances.
The LSK has also been advocating for the unconditional release of all protestors detained by the police. "We have been trying to negotiate bail and bond terms to ensure everyone is released. Unfortunately, we have faced violence, and one police officer even attempted to assault me personally," Odhiambo said in a past interview.
Recent data from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reveals that 66 protestors were reported missing, and 60 people lost their lives during the demonstrations.
