Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja is set to return to the High Court on September 22, 2026, after Justice Patricia Nyaundi found him personally responsible for contempt of court over the erection of police barricades in Nairobi’s Central Business District during the June 25 demonstrations.
Highlights
- IG Douglas Kanja has been found personally responsible for contempt of court.
- The case concerns police barricades placed around Nairobi’s CBD on June 25, 2026.
- The court said the action violated an existing conservatory order.
- Kanja will appear in court on September 22 for mitigation and sentencing.
- The case comes amid continued scrutiny of police conduct during demonstrations.
Main Story
High Court Sets September 22 Date
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has been ordered to appear before the High Court on September 22 for mitigation before the court determines his sentence following a contempt finding.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi made the decision after examining the actions of police officers during events in Nairobi on June 25, 2026.
The case centres on the blocking of roads leading into the Central Business District, which restricted access to the city centre.
Police Accused of Breaching Court Order
The High Court found that the barricades were put up despite an existing conservatory order governing the use of roadblocks and barricades by police.
The order required law enforcement officers to give members of the public advance notice before putting up such barriers.
Justice Nyaundi ruled that the police action on June 25 went against those requirements, leading to the contempt finding against Kanja.
The Inspector General was held personally accountable for the breach.
Kanja to Make Mitigation Submissions
With liability already determined, the next stage will focus on mitigation.
Kanja is expected to appear before the court and present submissions explaining why the court should consider a particular sentence.
The court will then proceed to determine the appropriate punishment.
The September 22 session will therefore be a key moment in the case as the High Court moves from the contempt finding to sentencing.
Police Conduct Under Scrutiny
The ruling comes amid continued debate over how Kenyan police handle public demonstrations and commemorative gatherings.
The June 2024 Finance Bill protests, which saw widespread demonstrations across the country, remain a major reference point in discussions about policing, civil liberties and the right to peaceful assembly.
Events marking the anniversary have continued to attract heightened attention from both security agencies and civil society groups.
The case involving Kanja places renewed focus on the balance between maintaining public order and complying with court-issued protections during demonstrations.
The Inspector General is now expected to face the court on September 22 as the judicial process enters the sentencing stage.
As the case heads to sentencing, the September 22 proceedings could offer another important test of accountability within Kenya’s security institutions.
