Katiba Institute files contempt of court case against IG Kanja over roadblocks in Nairobi
Katiba Institute now wants Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja cited and punished for contempt of court, accusing him of defying High Court orders by erecting roadblocks across Nairobi during the June 25, 2026 anniversary protests.
In an urgent application filed before the High Court on Friday, the lobby group argues that police barricaded major entry points into Nairobi’s Central Business District without issuing prior public notice, contrary to conservatory orders issued by Justice Lawrence Mugambi on July 9, 2025, and later extended on October 2, 2025.
Katiba Institute said the police operation demonstrated “a culture of impunity and a betrayal of the very survival of our democracy.”
According to court documents, roadblocks were mounted at several locations, including Roysambu, Kangemi, Ngong Road, Uhuru Highway and Moi Avenue, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.
The application also alleges that ambulances and health workers were turned away while boda boda riders attempting to access the city centre were arrested.
The lobby group further argued that the police action contradicted assurances made by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen a day earlier that June 25 would be “a normal working and school day.”
The statement was made in the presence of Kanja.
Despite those assurances, police allegedly sealed off Nairobi’s CBD from about 4:00 a.m., causing widespread traffic disruptions and interrupting business operations.
Katiba Institute maintained that the court orders were explicit, widely publicized and well known to the Inspector General.
It alleged that several media houses reported the ruling and that the Judiciary later issued a clarification after President William Ruto publicly criticized the orders.
“The 1st Respondent had actual and constructive knowledge of the existence of the Court orders. Despite this knowledge, the 1st Respondent disobeyed the Court orders,” the application states.
The case stems from a petition filed by Katiba Institute in June 2025 challenging the police practice of mounting barricades and roadblocks during demonstrations.
Justice Mugambi barred the Inspector General from blocking access to the CBD without issuing a timely public advisory, holding that the orders were necessary to prevent unnecessary inconvenience to members of the public.
Through lawyer Joshua Malidzo Nyawa, Katiba Institute is asking the court to find the Inspector General in contempt and impose appropriate punishment for disobeying its orders.
“The contemnors’ conduct constitutes a serious interference with the administration of justice and demonstrates a blatant disregard for the rule of law,” the application states.