Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) accused police of defying a High Court order by erecting roadblocks along major roads leading into Nairobi’s central business district during commemorative protests held on Thursday.
In a statement, the rights group said the barriers had effectively locked thousands of people out of the city centre, disrupting movement and limiting access to essential services.
KHRC argued that the police action violated a court ruling obtained last year by Katiba Institute, which barred security agencies from obstructing public roads without issuing timely advance notice to enable members of the public to seek alternative routes.
“Authorities must dismantle the roadblocks and restore unimpeded passage for all,” the commission said.
The rights watchdog maintained that the extensive closures infringed on constitutional freedoms, including the right to movement, peaceful assembly and access to public services.
According to KHRC, the restrictions also affected access to healthcare facilities, emergency services and economic activities, placing what it described as an unlawful and disproportionate burden on millions of Kenyans.
The roadblocks were erected as Kenyans marked the anniversary of anti-government demonstrations that left dozens of protesters dead and hundreds injured in confrontations with security officers.
The commission accused police of using the barriers to frustrate citizens seeking to commemorate those who lost their lives during the protests.
“Police, open the roads now and let people commemorate the lives lost through your violence,” the statement read.
By Thursday morning, several roads leading to Nairobi’s central business district had been sealed off, with security officers conducting checks and restricting access to motorists and pedestrians.
Police had not immediately responded to the allegations by the time of publication.
The dispute is likely to reignite debate over the balance between public security and constitutional freedoms during demonstrations, with rights groups insisting that law enforcement agencies must comply with court directives and respect citizens’ rights.
On Wednesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government respects the constitutional right of citizens to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities.
Murkomen noted that police had received notification from citizens intending to hold public demonstrations and would provide security and guidance to protesters in line with the law.
“The Government respects the constitutional rights of all Kenyans to peaceably assemble for whatever reason, on any day,” he said, citing Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful and unarmed assembly.
The Interior CS urged organizers and participants to ensure that demonstrations remain peaceful and unarmed, warning against acts that could undermine public safety and order.
At the same time, Murkomen claimed that some political actors were seeking to use the planned protests for political purposes and were allegedly mobilizing criminal elements to infiltrate demonstrations and engage in violence, looting and destruction of property.
He said the government would act firmly against anyone found exploiting legitimate protests to commit criminal acts.
According to the CS, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has already launched investigations into reports of individuals suspected of organizing and financing violent activities ahead of the demonstrations.
“The Government will deal decisively, and in accordance with the law, with any individuals or groups seeking to exploit legitimate protests to cause chaos, engage in looting, destroy property, disrupt businesses, or commit any other criminal acts,” he said.
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