'Respect protests, not power': Justice and Equity Council warns police
National
By
David Njaaga
| Jul 07, 2025
A lobby group has urged the National Police Service to protect peaceful protesters during the Saba Saba commemorations and to uphold the Constitution.
Police clear roads blocked by locals in Kitengela during Saba Saba protests on Monday, July 7. [Collins Oduor, Standard]
The Justice and Equity Council Kenya said police should not allow themselves to be used for political purposes and must maintain law and order within the law.
“The demand for a more accountable and just society is not a threat to national security; it shows democratic maturity,” said Chairman Sebastian Onyango.
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The council said Kenya has faced police violence and enforced disappearances since independence in 1963, with young people, activists and the poor often treated as threats instead of rights holders.
It cited past crackdowns under previous administrations, including the Saba Saba protests in the 1990s and post-election violence in 2007 and 2008, saying police have often treated peaceful protests as crimes.
The council said the June 17 shooting of demonstrators in Nairobi and the death in custody of Albert Ojwang showed a lack of restraint and professionalism in the police service.
Secretary Janet Sutton said the right to assemble and protest is protected under Article 37 of the Constitution and police must respect and protect this right.
“Police must respect and protect these rights, not suppress them,” said Sutton.
Organising Secretary Rose Nyarkaksingri said the council has noted violent crackdowns on protests and arrests of vocal citizens in the past year.
The council urged Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to confirm the service’s commitment to constitutional policing and to prosecute officers who break the law.
“We stand with citizens who are exercising their constitutional rights and call on police to serve with integrity and respect for human dignity,” said Ciru Wa Ngugi.
The council said the world is watching Kenya’s handling of the protests and urged police to protect the people rather than serve political interests.