The High Court has pardoned Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja after finding him personally responsible for contempt of a court order requiring police to issue timely public advisories before setting up emergency roadblocks or barricades.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi, however, warned Kanja that any repeat violation could attract a custodial sentence.
Kanja appeared before the court in person on September 28, 2026, alongside senior police officers for mitigation and sentencing after being found in contempt.
Justice Nyaundi said the Inspector General had committed to ensuring compliance with the court order and had demonstrated how the National Police Service would implement it going forward.
The judge consequently pardoned him, noting his personal appearance in court and assurances that there would be no repeat of the violation.
The contempt case arose from police barricades erected on June 25, 2026, on roads leading into Nairobi’s Central Business District and other areas during commemorations marking the anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill protests.
The court had previously directed police to issue timely public notices before mounting emergency barricades to allow members of the public to plan their movements.
The order, issued by Justice Lawrence Mugambi on July 9, 2025, did not prohibit police from establishing roadblocks or security checkpoints.
Justice Nyaundi found Kanja personally liable for contempt after determining that no advisory had been issued before the June 25 barricades were put in place.
The court rejected the argument that the barricades were spontaneous security measures and therefore outside the scope of the order.
During the proceedings, Kanja assured the court that the directive would be respected and implemented by the National Police Service. He also said he had reminded senior officers of the requirement to comply with court orders.
Justice Nyaundi said the failure to comply with the order had interfered with citizens’ freedom of movement.
The court stressed that contempt proceedings were necessary to protect the authority of court orders and uphold the rule of law.
While pardoning Kanja, the judge issued a stern warning that the decision should not be interpreted as tolerance of future breaches.
The National Police Service was directed to comply with the existing order on roadblocks and barricades during demonstrations and ensure there is no repeat of the violation.
