Kericho, Kakamega county commanders ordered to take action against men armed with batons

An order issued by the police headquarters in Nairobi has directed Kakamega and Kericho county commanders to take action against men seen earlier armed with batons ahead of protests in the two counties.

The groups were reportedly hired by local businessmen to protect their businesses, raising concerns over the safety of protesters who are exercising their constitutional rights. 

Their deployment was witnessed in Kericho and Kakamega towns, where they were filmed patrolling the town earlier this morning, triggering anger amongst protesters who questioned the police for not acting on them.

The instructions followed an earlier statement by acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who acknowledged the planned Gen Z demonstrations under constitutional rights but warned of potential criminal infiltration, urging peaceful cooperation for safety and security during the event.

"This morning, we received credible intelligence indicating that certain organised criminal groups have planned to infiltrate, disrupt, and destabilise the peaceful nature of the demonstrations, which could potentially jeopardise the safety of demonstrators," the IG said.

Kanja reiterated that the officers deployed in the streets have been tasked with upholding the rule of law, maintaining law and order, and ensuring that every Kenyan enjoys their constitutional rights.

Protestors react after police officers use teargas to disperse them during a demonstration against Kenya's proposed finance bill 2024/2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, June 25, 2024. REUTERS

"While you demonstrate, we urge you to remain peaceful and vigilant. Please collaborate, cooperate, and coordinate with the police to ensure your safety and our collective security as Kenyans are guaranteed during the event," he added.

The protests have begun in various major towns across the country, including Kisii, Eldoret, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Kitengela, Meru, Machakos, Kisumu, Bungoma, Kilifi, and Malindi.

Multiple protesters have been arrested in Nairobi, Eldoret, and elsewhere in a move that has been criticised as undermining the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution.

"We are aware that the police have arrested some individuals in Kileleshwa and the CBD for obscure reasons. Freedom of movement and expression are still constitutional guarantees in Kenya. We will visit the OCS' so that they can tell us if they have a different constitution," James Njeri, a member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), said in a post on X.

The society has been receiving and recording incidents of violence or arrests during the ongoing wave of protests in the country via its toll-free line, 0800720434.

"Received distress calls on the ongoing protests and continued reaching out! I urge protesters to remain vigilant and peaceful and call our toll-free line to report any incidents," LSK President Faith Odhaimbo implored early Tuesday afternoon.