Katiba Institute has lodged a contempt proceeding against Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, alleging that he ignored a High Court directive by placing roadblocks throughout Nairobi on the second anniversary of the June 25 protests.
Filed on Friday, the petition contends that police blocked critical access routes into the Central Business District without prior public notification, thereby violating the conservatory orders issued by Justice Lawrence Mugambi on 9 July 2025 and reiterated on 2 October 2025.
In the court filings, Executive Director Nora Mbagathi of Katiba Institute described the June 25 police operation as “a sign of impunity and a betrayal of democracy’s very survival.”
The petition lists several locations where the roadblocks were erected, such as Roysambu, Kangemi, Ngong Road, Uhuru Highway, Moi Avenue, and other major thoroughfares.
Commuters were stranded, health workers and ambulances were turned away at the barricades, and boda‑boda riders trying to reach the city were detained.
The contempt filing alleges that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen publicly assured Kenyans on 24 June that “Tomorrow is a normal working and school day,” a statement delivered amid the presence of the Inspector General.
Nevertheless, police began sealing the city from 4:00 am, causing severe traffic jams and disrupting commercial activity.
The petition highlights that the court orders were widely publicized, with outlets such as KBC, NTV, KTN News, and Citizen TV covering the ruling.
President William Ruto publicly criticized the court order, prompting the Judiciary to issue a clarification via its spokesperson.
The application states: “The first respondent therefore possessed direct and constructive knowledge of the Court orders. Yet, the respondent disobeyed them today.”
Katiba Institute filed the original petition on 25 June 2025, contesting the police use of barricades and roadblocks during the protests.
Justice Mugambi issued conservatory orders prohibiting the Inspector General from setting up barricades that block public access to the CBD “without first issuing a timely notice before emergency road closures”.
The court held the orders necessary “to prevent public inconvenience without advance notice whenever the first respondent blocks public roads”.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission also condemned the police action, demanding the immediate removal of roadblocks.
“Police today defied the court order by erecting barriers along key public roads leading into Nairobi’s central business district. Authorities must remove the roadblocks and restore free passage for all,” the KHRC stated.
The commission argued that the barricades restricted freedom of movement and limited access to healthcare, emergency services, peaceful assembly, and economic activity.
Lawyer Joshua Malidzo Nyawa’s Notice of Motion requests that the first respondent be cited for contempt of court and be penalized appropriately for violating the orders.
“The contemnor’s conduct constitutes a serious interference with the administration of justice and demonstrates a blatant disregard for the rule of law.”
The story “Katiba Institute sues IG Douglas Kanja over June 25 Nairobi roadblocks” originally appeared on Radio47.