Court stops use of tear gas, water cannons against protestors

The High Court sitting in Malindi has issued temporary orders stopping security agencies from using water canons and tear gas against persons protesting against the Finance Bill, 2024.

Justice Mugure Thande said police should also not use any live ammunition, rubber bullets or other cruse weapons or any form of violence against protestors until a case filed by Former Azimio leader Saitabao Ole Kanchory is determined.

The Judge at the same time issued an order prohibiting the Inspector General of police and CS Interior from committing any extrajudicial killings, arrests, abductions, intimidation, torture, or cruel degrading treatment of people protesting the finance bill.

The judge in issuing the orders said Kanchory was able to demonstrate that it’s in the public interest that the orders sought are granted.

He accused the police of responding to peaceful protests over the unpopular 2024 Finance bill with brute force and violence.

He claimed that Gen Z have been peaceful and unarmed during the protests but the same has been met with police brutality.

Kanchory told the court that the police have also resorted to forceful arrests and illegal abductions which is a violation of the protester’s right to liberty and other freedoms captured in the constitution.

“The inspector general of police has failed to uphold the highest possible standards of professionalism and discipline among the Kenyan police and to foster and promote good relations between the police and the broader society,”he said.

The IG, CS Interior, AG and IPOA have been listed as interested parties in the case.

Thande directed the application be served on all parties by July 1 and responses be filed by July 15.